Editor’s note: As part of its inaugural high school graduation special section, Mainstreet is highlighting one Alachua County high school senior who stood out for his academics, leadership and community service. Senior nominations were sent from public and private schools across Alachua County, and one student was selected based on his accomplishments.  

Grades have always been important to Davis Garrett.  

Even going back to middle school, Garrett had that drive to work a little bit harder to do the best job that he could in class. 

Garrett said that dedication to put forth maximum effort came at the encouragement of his parents and his own determination.  

“I’ve kind of got this mindset if I’m going [to] do something, I need to do my best in it,” said Garrett, a senior at Buchholz High School. “Because if you’re going to do something, you should put all your effort into it.” 

Garrett will graduate from Buchholz on Friday, having maintained a GPA higher than 4.0, completing 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and making A/B honor roll every semester in high school.  

Outside the classroom, Garrett has prioritized giving back to others. 

He spent two summers participating in the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Founded in 1969, the Christian-based, nonprofit organization brings thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families,” according to its website. 

Garrett spent the two summers helping families in parts of Tennessee.  

“This is something that I think everyone should do if they have the time, because it teaches you so much,” he said. “I learned so much about how to repair things, which is going to be helpful for the rest of my life. But also, the reward that it gives you, and how much you’re helping these families.” 

While Garrett has prioritized academics and community service, his greatest passion has always been running.  

Garrett is a four-year member of the Buchholz boys cross country team. As a junior, he helped the Bobcats win their first state title in 30 years.  

This past year, Garrett became a cross-country team captain, helping lead Buchholz to a second consecutive state title. 

Garrett has seen similar success as a member of the Buchholz boys track and field team.  

As a junior, he placed third in the 1600-meter run at the FHSAA Track and Field State Championships. He earned another invite to the state championships this year, where he placed fifth in the 1600. 

Garrett also competed at the Nike Indoor National Championships in 2025 and 2026, earning All-American honors once and three times, respectively.  

While he’s been successful with running, it hasn’t come without some challenges for Garrett. 

“I’ve dealt with a lot of injuries over high school in running, and it’s affected me a lot,” he said.  

Garrett said the most important thing the sport has taught him is “perseverance.” 

“I have dealt with countless injuries throughout my running career,” he said. “But no matter what happened, I would never give up, and I would always come back stronger. I believe it’s one of the most important characteristics about me, and it’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.” 

Garrett said running has allowed him to push himself beyond anything he thought he would be “physically and mentally capable of.” He noted that the sport has also made him want to work harder in his studies.  

After high school, Garrett plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he will continue cross country and track and field as a midshipman.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida. 

Click below for the complete list of graduates from each school:

• A. Quinn Jones School
• Alachua eSchool
• Buchholz High School
• Countryside Christian School
• Eastside High School
• Gainesville High School
• Hawthorne High School
• Loften High School
• Newberry High School
• Oak Hall High School
• P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School
• Saint Francis Catholic Academy
• Santa Fe High School
• Sidney Lanier School
• The Frazer School
• The Rock High School