Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts Honors Class of 2020

GOULDS, FL — Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts are honoring the Class of 2020 to coincide with the school's virtual graduation on June 15.

The school is highlighting four students below who represent the achievements of the entire graduating class.

Anooshah Bawany

Anooshah Bawany is the editor of the Arthur and Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts online newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society, Student Government Association, French Club, Horticulture Club, Women of Tomorrow and a four-year academic mentor in Math and Biology for the underclassmen and middle school students.

Anooshah's ideas and determination, coupled with her kindness, her energy, her sincerity, and her spirit make her a perfect candidate for the media spotlight for the Class of 2020.

Sajada Heard

Sajada Heard is a member of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Student Government Association, President of the National Thespian Society, Secretary of the Health Information (H.I.P.) Project, Chief Editor of the school's yearbook, a leader in the competition Poetry team and a finalist in the 2020 "Louder than a Bomb" National Poetry Slam. Sajada is one of the top 10 poets in the state.

Even with her hectic schedule and the added responsibility of participation in extracurricular activities, Sajada has maintained a 4.47 weighted GPA and is reliable, responsible and resilient. Her efforts continually demonstrate her high standard in all endeavors. Sajada was accepted to Howard University with a $129,000 scholarship.

Samantha Rodriguez

Samantha Rodriguez is a hardworking, responsible student leader who is focused and has unique perspective on student life. She will graduate in the top of her class this year, maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.4. As captain of the school's poetry team, Samantha is an intricate part of the bimonthly Creative Writing “Open Mic” events and has taken a leadership role within the Creative Writing Magnet program. She has never missed the medal platform in the National Scholastic Writing Contest which speaks to the high standard she holds for herself in all endeavors. Samantha juggles dual enrollment classes, extra curriculum activities, volunteers at her church and helps in the community.

Dexavior Smith

Dexavior Smith, a multi-award winning screenwriter, filmmaker and director, who has been accepted into the prestigious Florida State University Film Program. A few of his most esteemed recognitions include winning the AT&T Film Awards Best Youth Film Concept; first place nationally in the Project Yellow Light; and first place in the nation for the Student Television Networks Spring Nationals PSA. Moreover, Dexavior was the winner of the Tribeca Film Festival's "My Script Challenge," which would have resulted in his script being professionally filmed and then shown in the Tribeca Film Festival. Unfortunately, the festival was canceled due to COVID-19. Dexavior’s abilities have only just begun to be seen and his work is certain to be seen on the big screen in the future as he is destined to become one of South Florida’s homegrown talents.

In an effort to ensure that the Class of 2020 graduates at Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) receive the pomp and circumstance they deserve, the District is holding virtual graduation ceremonies for each high school. The live streaming of each virtual graduation, as well as a schedule of ceremonies and a video archive can be accessed by visiting Classof2020.dadeschools.net. The ceremonies are also televised on WLRN Channel 17.

The virtual commencement ceremonies will be followed by an in-person Class of 2020 celebration at each high school either in the summer or winter, once it is safe to do so under public health guidelines.

In addition to the virtual ceremonies, the District has launched a marketing campaign to highlight outstanding seniors, and invite the community to celebrate graduates on social media using the following hashtags: #MDCPSGrad, #Classof2020, #MeetMDCPSGrads and #SeniorSpotlight.