FHS Alumni "Living Their Best Life"
Joshua LeSelva
ESPN Associate Director
I work at the headquarters for ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut.
My primary project is working in the control room for SportsCenter. The title of my position is Associate Director. I help coordinate live shots with reporters, video elements for our show, graphic insertions for topic bars, name slates, and other topical elements. I'm the eyes and ears for the Director in the big chair. As a team, the Director and I try to deliver the best product out to our viewers using creative executions to get from one story to the next. Nothing beats working in a live control room environment. There is no margin of error for the national, linear television we do everyday. I'm proud to say that I have the best job in the world. It doesn't feel like work - I would do it for free. I'm living in a dream world!
What college did you graduate from?
The University of Florida (Go Gators!)
What was your major of study?
Telecommunication
How did Forest help prepare you for college, a career, and life?
I owe a lot to my fellow students, the faculty, and staff at Forest High for giving me the learning experience, interpersonal relationships, and education to succeed in college and in the professional landscape. The time I spent at Forest gave me a significant advantage in the pivotal next phase of my life.
How were you able to juggle school and extra-curricular activities at Forest?
Don't let anyone fool you - it's not easy being a student. There were many times during high school that I wish there were more than just 24 hours in a day. For me, it was all about setting priorities and sticking with them. It's easy to have your priorities get out of whack as a teenager, but ultimately the investment of time over a longer period of time will get you where you want to be. That's true for sports, academia, social connections, work, and anything else you can think of.
Describe an experience at Forest that made a lasting impact on your life/career decision
Without a doubt, being the sports anchor for the morning announcements. Long live WCAT. "I'm not crazy, I'm just passionate" A phrase that I continue to hear whenever I go back to Ocala to visit. The opportunity to go on the school TV every morning to read off scores from Forest sports seemed so small in the grand scheme of things. But for me, that is what led me to where I am today. That experience allowed me to grow, fail, learn, taste success, understand failure, and gave me the confidence to reach for bigger things. For that, thank you David Guest.
What are your plans for the future?
Direct a game broadcast for the World Cup in 2026. Yes, yes I understand - 2026 is like a billion years away for some of you reading this. We are ALL just trying to get past Monday, I get it. But, this is a big one. The World Cup will be in North America for 2026 and directing a game from that event is on my "Mount Rushmore" of achievements. Sure, there are some more achievable goals in the next year, but it's a lot more fun shooting for the stars... they aren't that far away!
What stands out at Forest that makes it the best school in Marion County?
Forest High is a legacy school full of rich tradition, school pride, and a level of respect that carries throughout the state. All of my siblings went to Forest and none of us wanted to go anywhere else. One of the main reasons why my parents chose the neighborhood we lived in was so we could all go there. One specific area that sticks out to me is the relationships between students and teachers. I will always remember how much the teachers actually cared about the students. Teachers made an effort to relate to their students if it was about sports, hobbies, food, vacations, church, and anything else in between. The relationship was never students vs. teachers, the relationship between students and teachers was about community and mutual respect.
What does the term “Forest Family” mean to you?
Once you walk into those doors into Forest High School you become part of something bigger than yourself. You join a family. That green and gold stays with you from then on. When I came home for Thanksgiving, I saw a student wearing a Forest High T-shirt and I couldn't help but smile. To this day I still get giddy when I drive past the building on Maricamp Road. But the coolest part about being in the Forest Family, is that the bond between students, alumni, faculty, and staff goes way beyond that building on Maricamp Road. That bond carries past those walls into every phase of your life. The Forest Family always has your back.
What programs/clubs did you participate in at Forest?
Looking back on my time at Forest, I was all over the place! From Student Government, to STN, the swim team, the baseball team, and Interact there were A LOT of club meetings to attend on half days. Hah! The special thing about these programs and clubs are the friendships you create out of them. You can achieve a lot of cool things in high school by yourself, but the memory you can share with others after accomplishing a goal is unforgettable. For me, it was the 2014 Lip Dub. I could write endlessly about how special it was to be a part of a school-wide project like that. That class of 2014 still talks about that video to this day.
What is your best memory about your high school career?
Without a doubt the 2014 Lip Dub. That was the most challenging thing I have ever done. EVER. To this day. That taught me so much. From planning, to executing, to getting people to buy-into the dream and the project. It was also one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I still relate to that experience when designing bigger projects and working with multiple groups of people to accomplish a project.
Wanna see Josh's Lip Dub? Click here
Nolan D. McCaskill
National political reporter at POLITICO
To see Nolan's Official Staff Bio, Click Here
What college did you graduate from?
I graduated from Florida A&M University in 2014.
What was your major of study?
I initially majored in graphic design but switched to broadcast journalism a year a half in.
How did Forest help prepare you for college, a career, life?
Some of the best teachers I’ve ever had taught at Forest High School. It’s where I learned to type over 100 words per minute with almost perfect accuracy, surprisingly enjoyed learning about government and graphic design and, in retrospect, stood out as a writer. To my surprise, those courses — and my interest in them — propelled me into a career that began with a role that included web producing for a national media outlet, for which I now cover the Democratic presidential primary.
How were you able to juggle school and extra-curricular activities at Forest?
I was always a student-athlete at Forest, and “student” always came first. Getting good grades was never an issue for me. But the sports culture — early-morning workouts and conditioning; after-school practices; games, meets and competitions year-round — required a level of discipline that carried over into the classroom for me. I wanted to dominate on the football field, win my races at track meets and set new highs at weightlifting meets. But I also wanted to be successful in the classroom. And while I had thought sports would be my ticket to college, it was my grades and SAT and ACT scores that largely covered my college expenses, allowing me to graduate debt-free. My teachers never saw me as just an athlete.
Describe an experience at Forest that made a lasting impact on your life/career decision.
What spurred my decision to pursue journalism was receiving an end-of-semester award as the top writer in a language skills course in college. One of the first things I did after that was reach out to one of my honors English teachers to thank her for the impact she and one of her colleagues had on me.
“[Y]ou two always raved about my academic skills, which inspired me to work harder,” I told her in a Dec. 7, 2011, email. “I want to personally thank you for being a great teacher. Your class challenged me and taught me a lot my senior year, and that made my transition to college very easy.”
What are your plans for the future?
I usually dodge this question, but I have a good reason. I thought I would play football and run track at a small school in Tennessee; I ended up at FAMU. I entered college majoring in graphic design; I left with a broadcast journalism degree. I told a blogger after attending POLITICO’s inaugural journalism institute in 2014 that I didn’t see myself working there; I started working there two weeks after graduation, and December 2019 marked my five year-anniversary.
So I honestly have no idea what my plans for the future are. I plan to do a lot of traveling, talking to voters and interviewing presidential candidates, covering the political party conventions this summer and following the Democratic or vice-presidential nominee as Democrats try to win back the White House.
What happens next is out of my hands. I could see myself covering the White House if one of the candidates I’ve followed closely becomes president or vice president. But I could also see myself covering Congress if President Donald Trump remains in the White House. History, however, has taught me that no matter what the results of the next election are, I’ll end up exactly where I’m meant to be.
What stands out at Forest that makes it the best school in Marion County?
Forest pride. Before we ran out onto the field as varsity football players, our lead running back would hype us up. “If you a Wildcat, say ya dig!” he’d say. “Ya dig!” we’d shout.
We had a lot of pride. Forest was relatively new when I got there in 2006. It was well known for its engineering program. And when I played sports, we were always competitive. To this day, I still walk around in my “Supercat” T-shirt, a nod to some of the school’s top athletes.
And the school had some great teachers who really connected with their students. I couldn’t imagine going to any other high school.
What does the term “Forest Family” mean to you?
Forest is one big family. I’m always rooting for the Wildcats, and Forest alumni are still some of my closest friends today. Friends who are like family to me nowadays were a big part of my high school experience.
What programs/clubs did you participate in at Forest?
I played football (four years) and basketball (one year) and ran track (three years) and did weightlifting (two or three years). Football had the biggest impact on me because it was a brotherhood. A few of us went to the same college and are still good friends 14 years after playing freshman football in 2006 through varsity in 2009.
What is your best memory about your high school career
My best memories were competing: snagging touchdowns and interceptions in one-on-one coverage in football games and racing and jumping against future Division I athletes like Kadron Boone (Trinity Catholic, LSU), Angelo Cabrera (Dunnellon, Bethune-Cookman University), Kevin Hardy (Vanguard, The Citadel) and P.J. Williams (Vanguard, FSU, New Orleans Saints) at track meets.
A close second is coming up with the homecoming slogan in Spanish class the year we played Sandalwood: “Take off your sandals and put on your cleats / Walk into the forest and face defeat.”
Alia French
What college did you graduate from?
I graduated from the University of Florida in May 2020.
What was your major of study?
Political Science and Visual Art Studies Dual Degree.
How did Forest help prepare you for college, a career, life?
Forest High School is unique in the sense that they allow for individual learning experiences. I was able to tailor my schedule to center around subjects that I was interested in (for me that was Social Studies classes) and take multiple AP and honors classes in that area. This allowed me to have access to incredibly influential teachers who challenged me, inspired me, and ultimately guaranteed my success after graduating from high school. At the University of Florida many students struggle to academically transition – because of Forest my transition was a smooth one. I had been taught how to study, to work hard, and most importantly to think independently because of the teachers I was lucky enough to have throughout my time at Forest. Additionally, Forest High School is the reason that I was able to dual degree in college. I was able to carry in a substantial amount of credit that applied to my Political Science degree, and therefore was able to pursue an additional degree in an area I was equally interested.
How were you able to juggle school and extra-curricular activities at Forest?
While at Forest I ran cross country and did weight-lifting all four years. Additionally, I was a member of the National Honors Society acting as secretary my senior year, and a member of Atlas, a service organization. The best advice I can give to current and prospective students is time management. I am meticulous about scheduling and planning, constantly writing tasks in my calendar and creating To-Do Lists. I of course understand that this method is not for everyone, however I would suggest finding out what does work for you. The most difficult path is to simply assume that you will figure it out – everyone has a system that works for them and if there is any way to decrease anxiety and stress, I think somewhere in there is the solution.
What are your plans for the future?
I will be joining the Peace Corps and moving to Ethiopia to teach English.
What stands out at Forest that makes it the best school in Marion County?
Forest has teachers that profoundly impacted me beyond my years in high school. I was pushed to not only learn, but how to think as an individual. The teachers at Forest are not just concerned with students passing their class, they want you to leave their classroom with a new perspective. They allow for open conversations, challenging you when necessary, and constantly nudging you to think independently. I left Forest knowing how to think critically about myself and the world around me because I was lucky enough to have teachers that taught me how. Forest teachers invested in me – they cared about me as an individual and fostered relationships that I have carried with me even after graduation. Teachers are not required to connect and invest with students the way the teachers at Forest do, and that is why Forest is the best school in Marion County.
LT Daniel Guerra
What college did you graduate from?
I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 2012 and I am currently attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland.
What was your major of study/career path?
I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics focus) from the Naval Academy and a minor in Spanish. After graduating from the Naval Academy I received orders to Naval Flight Officer training in Pensacola, FL and eventually was attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, an F/A-18F Super Hornet squadron stationed in Virginia Beach, VA. I served as an F/A-18F Weapon Systems Officer in my fleet squadron from 2015 to 2018 and deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. I am now at Test Pilot School and we are approaching the end of a one year course teaching us how to evaluate various types of military aircraft and systems. The school also includes graduate level instruction in relevant disciplines.
How did Forest help prepare you for college, a career, life?
On a daily basis, I use the analytical processes Mr. Evans taught us from his stoichiometric method in chemistry, the kinematics he taught us in physics, the trigonometry and calculus Mr. Stowers taught us, and unfortunately I am still using the writing skills I learned at Forest for the numerous technical reports we write here. Forest really set me up with a phenomenal academic foundation to build on. Beyond the academics, I think the various extra-curricular programs, activities, and social aspects of Forest provided valuable time management experience, as well as the sometimes difficult life lessons that really help prepare students for what comes after high school. For me one of those valuable and applicable lessons was learning how to handle successes and failures in various aspects of life, whether it be on the soccer field or in class. Compartmentalization is a big part of the job in Naval Aviation, and I can vividly remember certain situations while performing Close Air Support over Iraq and Syria where, regardless of mistakes made and how previous attacks went, you were still carrying weapons and there were still people on the ground being shot at and counting on you to do it right and without delay. I feel like those lessons were just as evident in soccer after missing a pass, or in a classroom after getting a bad grade. A lot of times what you do next and how you react in those situations is more important in the long run, and I feel like that is a lesson I can largely attribute to my time at Forest.
How were you able to juggle school and extra-curricular activities at Forest?
Well I owe most of that to my parents who helped me make it on time (usually) to all the practices and various other commitments until I could drive myself. I owe my coaches and teachers for being understanding. Prioritizing activities and responsibilities was helpful, and really understanding what the most important tasks were at a given time. Ultimately the time management skills learned at Forest are directly applicable to the real world and a solid foundation gained during high school was very beneficial. There is no better time than high school to learn time management and Forest had so many great opportunities to take advantage of.
Describe an experience at Forest that made a lasting impact on your life/career decision.
I’ll admit that I arrived at Forest High School with a pretty clear career goal. But one experience that has had an enormous impact on me was my time in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). The program was phenomenal and the leadership opportunities I was provided by Lt. Col. Baranowski and MSgt Fletcher were second to none. And I really mean that, the leadership experiences I was afforded truly rivaled what I received at a military service academy and definitely helped set me up for success. I owe a lot to that program and the people who helped me achieve my goals.
What are your plans for the future?
If I graduate from Test Pilot School in June I will be assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 in Patuxent River, MD performing developmental test and evaluation of new strike aircraft and weapon systems. I also recently applied for a master’s program at Johns Hopkins University for Space Systems Engineering and hope to hear back shortly!
What stands out at Forest that makes it the best school in Marion County?
The large number of AP classes that were available at Forest and the quality of the academics made it stand out in Marion County. The exceptional JROTC program was also important to me as I knew I wanted to apply to the Naval Academy one day. Having a family history at Forest High School and the fact that it is obviously the coolest school in town may have helped the decision as well!
What does the term “Forest Family” mean to you?
Making lifelong friends at Forest and having the support of teachers who truly care about your success. I am not sure how common that is at other schools, but I could not have asked for a better high school environment.
What programs/clubs did you participate in at Forest? If some of them had a lasting impact on you, please give a brief description and why it was special.
I played soccer, tennis, ran cross-country, and was involved in various academic clubs. The JROTC program at Forest certainly has had a lasting impact for reasons I already described and has been beneficial to a career in the military. It sounds silly, but already knowing how to shine your shoes made life a little nicer during Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy.
What is your best memory about your high school career?
The relationships made in and out of class. Probably some of my favorite memories were those jokes and friendships made sitting at our group table in Chemistry and Physics class. Sorry Mr. Evans, we were not always paying as much attention as we should have! Oh and that time somebody drew something slightly inappropriate on Knox’s car during some senior pranks. Sorry man but that was funny.
Michael A. Castillo
What college did you graduate from?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
What is was your major of study?
I majored in Mechanical Engineering and minored in Management.
How did Forest help prepare you for college, a career, life?
At Forest, I learned the two most important values: commitment to hard work and commitment to community. The academic and athletic programs are easy to join but are commitments to which peers and faculty held me accountable. Regularly, the teachers and coaches pushed me outside my comfort zone to help me grow. When the community expects your best effort, and is willing to help you deliver your best effort, it is easy to maintain a mentality that produces your best effort. Additionally, many members of Forest are committed to making it a community. A community takes tremendous effort from everyone to develop and pays a high return on the effort invested. Forest showed me the benefit of a strong community and the importance of helping build a community
How were you able to juggle school and extra-curricular activities at Forest?
Balancing school and extra-curricular activities is much easier when you enjoy both. I thoroughly enjoyed education at Forest because there were a lot of options when picking a class in my later years. My peers were involved in the same extra-curricular activities so it was easier to stay involved. It was a conscious decision to prioritize my time learning, hanging out with friends, or doing extra-curricular activities over staying at home playing videogames.
Is there an experience at Forest that made a lasting impact on your life/career decision.
When I first came to MIT, I was very lonely. I had moved far from home, had no support network, and had to start all over. In the absence of my Forest community, I began to appreciate the value of a strong community. I also noticed that other MIT students felt isolated due to the lack of community at MIT. When I found a community, I was devoted to helping other MIT students find a sense of belonging.
What are your plans for the future?
I will be working at 3M as an Optimized Operations Engineer. It is a two-year rotational position where I travel to 3M’s plants across America and implement Lean Six Sigma practices. Many of these plants have inefficiencies that are recognized by management but do not have the time, resources, or personnel to solve it. My position is the additional help needed to continuously improve 3M’s manufacturing process.
What stands out at Forest that makes it the best school in Marion County?
From an early age, I have always taken an interest in STEM subjects. My mother wanted me to go to Vanguard, but I did not feel the program would prepare for the career I wanted later in life. I initially chose EMIT for its focus on STEM, and later realized broader benefits of Forest. The academics helped prepare me for the experiences after high school. Extra-curricular activities made me well-rounded and gave me the opportunity to explore my interests. The Forest community supported and challenged me when I needed it. Most importantly, the Forest teachers helped me realized my potential and believed in me when I did not believe in myself. I would have never applied to MIT without a nudge from a few teachers.
What does the term “Forest Family” mean to you?
It is a community beyond just friends. Friends come and go. Friends do not have an obligation to helping each other grow. A family is a commitment to fostering each other unconditionally. To me, my Forest Family is a community I eagerly choose to be a part of 4 years after graduating because of the deep relationships I formed in high school.
What programs/clubs did you participate in at Forest?
EMIT The most impactful academic experience at Forest. There is an annual Thematic Learning Activity (TLA) that provides an opportunity for students to take a deep dive into solving a problem in the STEM field. EMIT has provided access to advanced STEM tools, experiences, and opportunities that are unavailable in other schools in Marion County.
Football Taught me the value of hard work, grit, and discipline beyond the field. It taught me that more in life can be achieved if you focus and apply consistent, relentless effort to accomplish your goals.
FIRST Robotics An opportunity to explore a more applied side of STEM. I learned how to work on the teams to produces a sizable robot that can perform intricate tasks. There is also plenty of flexibility to tailor your FIRST experience towards your interests.
What is your best memory about your high school career?
Sharing many typical high school experiences with a close group of friends. A lot of my friends at MIT did not go to prom, play a sport, or enjoy high school. Reflecting on my high school experience, I have a lot of small moments that sum to the fondest years of my life. I am happy I was able to have fun while being able to position myself for success in the future.
Dr. Matthew Lentsch, O.D.M.S.
Certified Optometrist
Lentsch Eye Care
What college are you attending (graduated from)?
I graduated from UCF with my Bachelor's in Biology and received my Doctorate of Optometry degree from The University of Houston
How did Forest help prepare you for college, a career, life?
I took numerous AP courses my Senior year at FHS and the faculty at the time was incredible. They treated us with respect and allowed us to learn how to study. I played baseball at FHS and that concept of working as a team and pushing yourself towards goals has helped me as a pursued by Optometry career.
How were you able to juggle school and extra-curricular activities at Forest?
Planning, I had to utilize a planner every day to make sure I stayed on top of assignments and finished my work prior to games, especially if we were traveling.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue to grow my Optometry practice in Ocala and better serve the community.
What stands out at Forest that makes it the best school in Marion County?
Great people. Faculty and coaches that care about students and push students to achieve more. Forest will always feel like home. I am excited to be back in Ocala and to have my children attend FHS.
What is your best memory about your high school career.
My best memory of my high school career was winning the district baseball tournament my senior year and celebrating with teammates and coaches.