Introducing the Queen of Sparta for 2025, Miss Jessica Sylest Taranto.

Jessica is a junior at Isidore Newman School, excels both academically and athletically. Taking honors classes, she maintains an impressive GPA above 4.0. As a member of the women’s varsity basketball team, she plays as a shooting guard, and also competes in pole-vaulting for the varsity track team. Additionally, Jessica has participated in high school volleyball and varsity softball, showcasing her versatility as an athlete.

Since middle school, Jessica has demonstrated consistent leadership and dedication to her school community through her active involvement in student government. She was elected president of the middle school, where she took on the responsibility of representing her peers and fostering a positive school environment. Additionally, she has served as a grade representative on the school’s honor council, contributing to upholding the values of integrity and accountability within her school. These roles reflect her commitment to leadership, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact on her school community.

Jessica is deeply committed to giving back to her community through various volunteer efforts. She serves as an elected member of the Touro Synagogue and dedicates her time to organizations such as Camp Able, HOSA–Future Health Professionals (a national organization promoting career opportunities in the health industry for students), Heart of Passion, and Breakthrough Groups, where she mentors children with disabilities and those battling cancer. Additionally, she contributes to environmental sustainability by working with the Ninth Ward Soul Tree Planting Community Group.

Jessica’s true passion lies in the medical field, where she aspires to pursue a career as a surgeon. Her drive to make a difference in people’s lives stems from her deep empathy and compassion, qualities her mother finds most admirable. She is steadfast in her commitment to exclusivity, genuinely caring for those around her and expressing gratitude for the love and support of her family and friends. Her father is equally proud of her unwavering determination and her belief that success comes through hard work, persistence, and effort. These values, combined with her passion for helping others, fuel her ambition to excel in the medical field and make a meaningful impact in the lives of her future patients.

Jessica has been an esteemed member of the Knights of Sparta Court since 2017, consistently demonstrating grace, poise, and dedication to the traditions and values of the Knights of Sparta and Carnival. Over the years, she has exemplified the qualities of leadership and community spirit that define a “Spartan” court. We are honored to celebrate her as our queen, a role she embraces with elegance and a genuine commitment to representing Knights Sparta with pride and distinction. Her journey with the court reflects her dedication to excellence and her ability to inspire those around her.