Cyrena Thrower

I’ve always known I wanted to make a difference in my community—when I was younger, I dreamed of impacting the world. As I grew older, my goals became more focused, starting with Brevard County. I once thought I’d do this through journalism, sharing facts and positivity. But life led me to teaching, and it quickly became a true passion. I stayed because I saw the impact, built real connections, and found purpose in helping students grow.

One of my most meaningful experiences was teaching a student with Down syndrome. It was not easy, and progress came one accomplishment at a time. This year, our greatest success was growth in behavior and self‑regulation. Through patience, persistence, and high expectations, I learned that meaningful change doesn’t have to be immediate to be powerful and life changing.

I would use the $25,000 to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership, allowing me to expand my impact beyond the classroom (like I dreamed of doing since I was a kid myself). It would also support resources that strengthen inclusive learning environments. Finally, it would make it possible to take an our honeymoon after recently marrying while balancing financial goals like saving for a home, returning focused and reenergized.