ORLANDO, Fla. — Jones High School senior Breyanna James is getting ready to graduate at the top of her class. James is one of 350 students in this year’s graduating class. She is ranked No. 1 and has a 5.25 grade-point average.
“It makes me feel accomplished because not many people graduate so young. I think I was supposed to be in class of 2027, actually,” James said.
James moved from New York to Florida in the fifth grade. She is now 17 years old and preparing to graduate as valedictorian.
She said the International Baccalaureate program challenged her throughout high school but also helped her grow.
“Even though it was very challenging, it was one of the best programs that I’ve been in,” James said. “I think it pushed me to be more than what I thought I could be. It pushed me to do more. It involved myself in my community more.”
James said her drive comes from wanting to become a first-generation college student. She was born in St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and said her family’s journey motivates her to keep pushing toward her goals.
“I wanted to do more than what everyone in my family was doing because they were in the islands and scattered around the U.S.,” James said. “Made me want to strive for better and excellence.”
Outside the classroom, James volunteered with several organizations and took part in school activities. She said she worked during the 2024 elections, volunteered through Elevation Scholars, helped at Boys & Girls Clubs, cleaned nursing homes and helped with Tiger Pride, a Jones High School event that brings alumni together. She also competed in track and field and weightlifting.
Marnie Cadette, James’ school counselor, said James stood out because of her drive and willingness to go beyond what was expected.
“She pushes herself beyond what other students are doing,” Cadette said. “She knew she wanted to be valedictorian, and she was willing to do anything to make it happen.”
Cadette said that it is not every day that you see a student balance academics, extracurricular activities and volunteer work the way James has.
“It is pretty rare to see someone that is an IB student that is able to juggle all of these things so successfully,” Cadette said. “She was trying to do extra classes online, just willing to do anything and just be able to balance that in her time is just phenomenal.”
James will attend Florida A&M University in the fall. She plans to study pre-pharmacy and eventually pursue a doctorate in pharmacy.
“Ultimately, I want to go into research pharmacy because I want to be able to find new medicines, find new things that work for different kinds of people,” James said.
She said she wants to help her community better understand medications and how they can help people.
James said she hopes younger students learn from her journey that hard work can pay off.
James graduated from Jones High School on May 23. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship through the Spectrum News 13 High School Scholars program.