19-05-2025
Meet the 'Diva Dozen': Tallahassee Collegiate Academy's first graduating class
Tallahassee Collegiate Academy held its inaugural commencement ceremony on May 13 and the class of 2025 was a group of 12 young ladies who call themselves "The Diva Dozen."
Nine of the 12 were able to graduate with at least one year of college coursework completed, and two graduated with their associate in arts degree from Tallahassee State College with a 4.0 grade point average, exemplifying the school's key mission.
Tallahassee Collegiate Academy was founded in 2023 as a charter school affiliate of Tallahassee State College designed to prepare students for college by helping them earn credits with a dual enrolled schedule and rigorous course load. During the school's first year of operation, it earned an A from the Florida Department of Education.
'This graduating class represents the beginning of something truly transformative,' Karen Moore, founder of Tallahassee Collegiate Academy and chair of the governing board said. 'TCA is redefining what's possible in public education—offering students the opportunity to graduate with college credits, real-world skills, and zero debt.
"These students are proof that our model works, and their success sets the stage for many more to follow.'
Moore, founder and CEO of The Moore Agency, also serves as chair of the district board of trustees at Tallahassee State College.
Savanna Griffin graduated from the school with honors and at least a year of her associate's degree complete. She served as the school's first student government association president and said the Diva Dozen was a sisterhood she was proud to be a part of.
Her greatest challenge at the school was assisting in cultivating a sense of morale and community around the school that would hopefully last for future graduating classes. Taylor Pratt, a spokesperson for Tallahassee State College, said the school is expecting to have 40 students in its senior class next school year.
Griffin plans to finish her associates degree at TSC and then transfer to Spelman College, a historically black college in Atlanta, where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine. She hopes to become a dermatologist.
The inaugural Karen Moore Award was presented to Anekae Donaldson, a student who exemplifies an "entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, compassion, and community service."
"We made an impact without even knowing we did," Griffin said. "It was a very unique experience and something we will remember forever."
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@ Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: It's a wrap: Tallahassee Collegiate Academy honors first senior class
