Alumni Updates
We are extremely proud of all of our alumni. Here are some alumni who are making waves!
Please check back for more updates!
Nicole Durant
Dueling Dragons Alumna
Nicole earned a scholarship from Starbucks and attends the University of Arizona. She is currently taking online classes while continuing to work at the Starbucks in College Park.
“Although I was somewhat of a shy girl, my first year with Dueling Dragons was my best memory. Being part of the program made me realize that not every officer is terrible, and it opened my mind. I loved the bonds I was able to build with the officers, chaperones and other children. I enjoyed every experience and opportunity — from trips to friendships to competitions and adventures.”
Brandon Cunningham
Dueling Dragons Alumnus
After graduating high school, Brandon attended Valencia College and majored in Business and Organizational Leadership. Now graduated and married, he was recently sworn in as a Community Service Officer with the Orlando Police Department.
“I grew up in Pine Hills, born to immigrant parents whose only hope for me was to graduate high school without being arrested. My time in Dueling Dragons really mattered because it is the reason that not only did I become a first-generation high school graduate, I am also a first-generation college graduate. And I am now proud to serve as a community service officer with the Orlando Police Department. I am these things because someone told me that I could be. Even after completing Dueling Dragons, the team remains integral to me. I still keep in contact with many of my teammates — both police officers and youth — who, like me, have continued to push themselves to meet the expectations of greatness that we established while on the team. Our team is truly a family — the support we show one another is unwavering even as the years pass.”
Sasha Milla
Dueling Dragons Alumna
Sasha was born and raised in Orlando’s inner city in a single-parent household with her mom and five siblings. After seeing family and friends lose their lives to gun violence and incarceration, she decided to choose a different path and joined Dueling Dragons. After high school, Sasha started working for the City of Orlando. She earned a college scholarship from the Orlando Kiwanis, and while she initially struggled with college, she persevered and recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Human Communication from the University of Central Florida. Sasha recently moved to Georgia, where she is interviewing for multiple career opportunities.
“My dragon boat family gave me a support system that helped me face my fears of college. With mentoring and encouragement from many of the officers not only during the program but after as an alumnus, I kept moving forward and finally crossed the stage with my bachelor’s degree.”
Turquoisia Green
Dueling Dragons Alumna
Turquoisia paddled with us until she graduated from Jones High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Family Youth and Community Science from the University of Florida where she was on the Dean's List. After that, she went on to Penn State University where she earned a masters degree in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health in Schools and Communities. She worked as counselor for Orange County Government before marrying and moving to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she served as a Family Intervention Specialist for Youth Villages, a Critical Access Behavioral Health Agency (CABHA) in North Carolina that offers a variety of treatment options to help children with emotional behavioral and mental health issues. She now serves as Regional Supervisor of the Greensboro Youth Villages Office.
“Mentorship provided by Dueling Dragons taught me that there was more to life than what I saw within my community. It planted a seed in me early on in life. I knew that once I grew up I wanted to make a difference in my community and plant seeds for others.”
Jakivia Williams
Dueling Dragons Alumna
Jakivia, an Orlando Kiwanis Valencia College scholarship recipient, is currently studying sonography and working at Starbucks in College Park to help pay her tuition.
“The officers, mentors and my peers in Dueling Dragons taught me a lot of lessons about the world we live in today, and that has helped me become an aspiring woman who can take on the challenges I face in life and continue to reach for my dreams.”
Vance Welcome
Dueling Dragons Alumnus
After graduating from the Dueling Dragons program and high school, Vance took two years off to enjoy life and in August 2021, enrolled in the Veterinary Technician Program at Orange Technical College. He successfully completed the program and 8-week Internship at Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic, working with current Dueling Dragons mentor, Dr. Alicia Eliscu, who volunteered to personally mentor Vance through his training and employment. Vance works mainly in the post-operative area, waking the animals and caring for them after surgery. Vance loves his job and is a true asset to the team.
“Dueling Dragons became a second family to me. They were always there to support me, and I had a lot of trust in them to protect me. It has been one of the best things that happened to me in my life.”
Asha Davis
Dueling Dragons Alumna
Asha graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a concentration in Children’s Services from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2018. She then went on to complete a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health at Troy University in 2022. Asha currently works at Embrace Families where she serves as the Career Coordinator, serving foster youth ages 16-24.
“I learned the importance of mentorship during my time with Dueling Dragons. Mentorship positivity affects both the mentor and mentee, and mentors can make a profound difference in the lives of their mentees.”
Chris Durant
Dueling Dragons Alumnus
Upon completing the Dueling Dragons program, Chris earned scholarships and is currently attending American University in Washington, DC, studying political science. He hopes to pursue a career in government and is working with the City of Orlando this summer.
“I constantly reflect on what I learned and experienced throughout my years with Dueling Dragons. One thing I reflect on is how these cops are people just like me, and they have lives, interests and hobbies they look forward to doing just like me. Another thing I reflect on is the sacrifice these officers make to keep our communities safe, and they walk away from that to come paddle with us. What we have in Orlando is special. To this day, I still remember the conversations I had with the late Lieutenant Deborah Clayton. She was the person who led me to challenge my thinking and to stand on what I know to be true. Just like the steerers set the course for the races we did, being in Dueling Dragons set the course for an amazing and eventful life I have ahead of me.”
Chris Cason
Dueling Dragons Alumnus
Chris is now a junior at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) pursuing a B.A in English Arts and is also a proud member of The Marching 100.
“I often reflect upon my time in Dueling Dragons, especially the team-building and lifelong friendships I made -- people I still reach out to today. I also value all of the different opportunities I was given, especially with traveling.”