From Myakka City to Ivy League Dreams:
Bridging Opportunity Gaps
by Nurisha A. Harvey, Esq.
Amari Balozi Lopez Sarasota Military Academy
In Myakka City, a quiet rural corner of Sarasota County, where cattle graze under wide-open skies, dirt roads stretch for miles, and resources are scarce, one young leader dared to dream beyond his rural roots.
Amari Balozi Lopez, a graduating senior at Sarasota Military Academy, is not just excelling academically; he is redefining what it means to come from a small town with big ambitions.
Amari has always stood out for his commitment to his community. His journey is one of grit, determination, and hope, from advocating for equity in underserved neighborhoods to overcoming the challenges of living in a hurricane-prone area.
With an acceptance letter to Columbia University, one of the world’ s most prestigious Ivy League institutions, Amari proves that rural roots can grow into Ivy League dreams with perseverance and the right opportunities. His success is a call to address systemic inequities that overlook rural communities.
Growing Up in Myakka City: The Beauty and the Barriers
Amari grew up in a small, rural part of Sarasota County, far from urban conveniences. Life in Myakka is quaint, quiet, and deeply connected to nature. Unlike most suburban and urban settings with easy access to resources, Myakka is defined by its distance with long drives to school, limited access to healthcare, and few educational enrichment programs.
“ It’ s country living,” Amari shares.“ We don’ t have big hospitals or STEM centers down the street. It takes 30 minutes to get to the grocery store and an hour bus ride to school.”
When hurricanes Ian and Milton struck, his family home was devastated, and recovery was slow.“ It felt like we were invisible,” Amari recalls.“ We didn’ t have running water or electricity for days. You realize in those moments how underserved rural areas are.”
These experiences shaped his advocacy, as he witnessed the systemic neglect of rural communities and their lack of access to resources. For Amari, these challenges were a call to action.
The Power of Advocacy
Amari’ s journey into legal advocacy began with Sarasota County’ s Teen Court, where he served as a Teen Attorney.
“ At Teen Court, I learned how the law could help the youth rebuild their lives. It gave me a voice and a chance to help my peers navigate a second chance, especially for those often forgotten.” This experience fueled his passion for leadership.
His dedication to civic engagement and commitment to amplifying youth voices in democracy was further recognized when he won second place in the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County’ s YVote Contest for his essay“ Your Voice Speaks Volumes.”
32 | THE DOCKET- APRIL 2025