Graduation 2020: Hillsborough Seniors Honored for their Academics and Resilience During this Unprecedented Time in Our Country

Newsdesk

May 20, 2020

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tanya Arja
Office of Communications
813-272-4060

Tampa, Fla. – (May 20, 2020) – Our district’s graduates have so much to be proud of and to celebrate. Though it is not the end of their Senior year that anyone could have predicted or wanted, their accomplishments and recognitions will shine far brighter than any national emergency.

More than 13,000 seniors in Hillsborough County Public Schools will obtain their high school diploma this year and continue their future plans in college, the military, or directly into a rewarding career.

Our valedictorians and salutatorians worked tirelessly to reach the top of their class and are honored for their hard work and dedication to excellence. The students who earned top honors in their class include one set of twins (Strawberry Crest HS), co-valedictorians (Durant HS), and a valedictorian who earned a 10.87 GPA (Plant HS).

Our district’s graduation committee was proactive, making alternate plans to ensure all Seniors have the opportunity to experience the graduation ceremony they deserve. Instead of graduation ceremonies in May, our district’s tentative plan is to hold traditional ceremonies the week of July 13-26 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. We will continue to monitor CDC guidelines and recommendations from the Florida Department of Health at that time.

Please see the list of graduations below and help us congratulate all of our graduates.

School Name: Alonso High School
Principal: Kenneth Hart
Anticipated # of graduates: 595	Phone: 813-356-1528
Valedictorian: Arlene Midulla	GPA: 7.668
Salutatorian: Walter Acosta	GPA: 7.0487
Class president: Levian Hall
Graduation: July 21, 4 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Navy Blue, Gold and White	School mascot: Ravens

School Name: Armwood High School
Principal: Joseph Castelli
Anticipated # of graduates: 498	Phone: 813-744-8040
Valedictorian (Traditional): Lora Tuzzolino	GPA: 6.02
Salutatorian (Traditional): Isaac Fernandes	GPA: 5.85
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Lizett Chavez	GPA: 7.96
Salutatorian (Collegiate Academy): Megan Gafford	GPA: 7.74
Class president: Valentina Montoya
Graduation: July 18, 12:30 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Gray, Blue and Maroon	School mascot: Hawks

School Name: Blake High School
Principal: Jesse Salters
Anticipated # of graduates: 342	Phone: 813-272-3695
Valedictorian (Traditional): Abelardo Iglesias	GPA: 6.0162
Valedictorian (Magnet): Leigh Raquel Ives	GPA: 7.9200
Salutatorian (Traditional): Nathalie Ninfa Gonzalez	GPA: 5.3442
Salutatorian (Magnet): Annagrace Wonders Brackin	GPA: 7.4036
Class president: Synaa Colon
Graduation: July 16, 12:30 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Black and Yellow	School mascot: Yellow jackets

School Name: Bloomingdale High School
Principal: Sue Burkett
Anticipated # of graduates: 589	Phone: 813-744-8018
Valedictorian(s): Andrew Tidd	GPA: 8.64
Salutatorian(s): Jordan Chastain	GPA: 8.52
Class president: Gabriella Martinez
Graduation: July 15, 8 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red, Black, and White	School mascot: Bulls

School Name: Bowers/Whitley Career Center
Principal: Derrick Gaines
Anticipated # of graduates: 26	Phone: 813-558-1750
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 14, 9 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Navy/Carolina Blue	School mascot: Vikings

School Name: Brandon High School
Principal: Jennifer Sparano
Anticipated # of graduates: 455	Phone: 813-744-8120
Valedictorian(s): Gerardo Aponte	GPA: 8.14
Salutatorian(s): Catherine Harman	GPA: 6.88
Class president: Shamaniqua Lessane
Graduation: July 13, 8 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Maroon and White	School mascot: Eagle

School Name: Caminiti Exceptional Center
Principal: Roberta Jakubowski
Anticipated # of graduates: 12	Phone: 813-975-7611
Valedictorian(s): N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian(s): N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 23, 1:30 p.m. at Caminiti Exceptional Center Multipurpose Room
School colors: Teal Blue and Gold	School mascot: Cougar

School Name: Carver Exceptional Center
Principal: Earnest Wood
Anticipated # of graduates: 2	Phone: 813-236-3500
Valedictorian(s): N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian(s): N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 23, 10:30 a.m. at Dorothy Thomas Center Gym
School colors: Blue, Orange and White	School mascot: Tigers

School Name: Chamberlain High School
Principal: Jake Russell
Anticipated # of graduates: 345	Phone: 813-975-7677
Valedictorian(s): Jonathan Raymond Clark	GPA: 6.2385
Salutatorian(s): Gabrielle Suzanne Mitchell	GPA: 6.2152
Class president: Kacy-Noel Danette Baker
Graduation: July 13, 4 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Green and Gold	School mascot: Chiefs

School Name: Dorothy Thomas
Principal: Kimberly Jahn
Anticipated # of graduates: 2	Phone:813-975-7355
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class President: N/A
Graduation: July 23, 10:30 a.m. in Dorothy Thomas Gym
School Colors: Navy, White and Gold	School mascot: Jaguars

School Name: Durant High School
Principal: Gary Graham
Anticipated # of graduates: 550	Phone: 813-757-9075
Co-Valedictorian(s): Christopher Felegy	GPA: 7.560
Co-Valedictorian(s): Miranda Bihler	GPA: 7.560
Class president: Madison Smith
Graduation: July 16, 4 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Navy, Gold, White	School mascot: Cougar

School Name: D. W. Waters Career Center
Principal: Holly Frazier
Anticipated # of graduates: 40	Phone: 813-233-2655
Valedictorian(s): N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian(s): N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 14, 9 a.m. Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Cheetah

School Name: East Bay High School
Principal: Amy Stevens-Cox
Anticipated # of graduates: 580	Phone: 813-671-5134
Valedictorian(s): Ethan Sisouphone	GPA: 7.64
Salutatorian(s): Perla Gonzalez	GPA: 6.91
Class president: Alexis Velazquez
Graduation: July 14, 4 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red and Gray	School mascot: Indians

School Name: Eisenhower Exceptional Center
Principal:
Anticipated # of graduates: 3	Phone: 813-671-5121
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 8, 1 p.m. at Eisenhower ESE Center
School colors: Red and Blue	School mascot: Generals

School Name: Freedom High School
Principal: Kevin Stephenson
Anticipated # of graduates: 360	Phone: 813-558-1185
Valedictorian: Taravat Tarahomi	GPA: 7.382
Salutatorian: Cynthia Nguyen	GPA: 7.28
Class president: Owen Barno
Graduation: July 18, 9 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red, White and Blue	School mascot: Patriot

School Name: Gaither High School
Principal: Thomas Morrill
Anticipated # of graduates: 490	Phone: 813-975-7340
Valedictorian: Kateri Caridad Espinosa	GPA: 8.30
Salutatorian: Caitlin Grace Singer	GPA: 8.24
Class president: Winter Whipple
Graduation: July 15, 9 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Blue, Silver, and White	School mascot: Cowboys

School Name: Hillsborough High School
Principal: Gary Brady
Anticipated # of graduates: 355	Phone: 813-276-5632
Valedictorian (Traditional): Kyla Battle	GPA: 6.47
Valedictorian (IB): Brianna “Meimei” Wang	GPA: 7.5365
Salutatorian (Traditional): Duncan McEwen	GPA: 5.83
Salutatorian (IB): Dylan Houchin	GPA: 7.48
Class president: Co-Presidents: Diadelys Mena and Cassandra Truong
Graduation: July 14, 12:30 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red and Black	School mascot: Terriers

School Name: Hillsborough Virtual School
Director: Christina Russell
Anticipated # of graduates: 48	Phone: 813-983-7278
Valedictorian: Andrea Colon	GPA: 6.10
Salutatorian: Alexander Capalbo	GPA: 5.64
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 23, at 4 p.m., D.W. Waters Career Center
School colors: Green, Black and Gold	School mascot: N/A

School Name: Jefferson High School
Principal: Robert Quinn
Anticipated # of graduates: 366	Phone: 813-875-5251
Valedictorian (Traditional): Samantha Groves	GPA: 6.1296
Valedictorian (Magnet): Leslie Facio-Aguiniga	GPA: 7.7055
Salutatorian (Traditional): Daniel Pimienta	GPA: 5.8679
Salutatorian (Magnet) : Amine Rizk	GPA: 6.5831
Class President: Deana Gallegos-Walters
Graduation: July 17, 9:00 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Blue and Gold	School mascot: Dragon

School Name: King High School
Principal: Arlene Castelli
Anticipated # of graduates: 400	Phone: 813-744-8333
Valedictorian (Traditional): Reagan Overton	GPA: 8.64
Valedictorian (IB): Aniruth Narayanan	GPA: 8.92
Salutatorian(Traditional): Jenifer Mejia	GPA: 8.24
Salutatorian (IB): Nafisa Uddin	GPA: 8.66
Class president: Khegan Meyers
Graduation: July 15, 1:00 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Columbia Blue, Scarlet, White	School mascot: Lions

School Name: LaVoy Exceptional Center
Principal: Amber Statham
Anticipated # of graduates: 6	Phone: 813-872-5285
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 8, 10:30 a.m. at Roland Park K-8 School Multi-Purpose Room
School colors: Blue and Silver	School mascot: Lancers

School Name: Lennard High School
Principal: Denise Savino
Anticipated # of graduates: 600	Phone: 813-641-5611
Valedictorian (Traditional): Ashaunti Harvin	GPA: 7.4483
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Sarah Hofman	GPA: 8.3600
Salutatorian (Traditional): Beri Gill	GPA: 6.4375
Salutatorian (Collegiate Academy): Araceli Gonzalez-Rocha	GPA: 8.2553
Class president: Chanel Campbell
Graduation: July 18, 4 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Orange and White	School mascot: Longhorns

School Name: Leto High School
Principal: Larissa McCoy
Anticipated # of graduates: 525	Phone: 813-872-5300
Valedictorian (Traditional): Lensay Leon	GPA: 7.37
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Karen Rodriguez-Figuere	GPA: 8.09
Salutatorian (Traditional): Gabriela Hondal	GPA: 7.05
Salutatorian (Collegiate Academy): Giana Perez	GPA: 7.79
Class president: Faith Pinamang
Graduation: July 21, 12:30 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red, White and Gold	School mascot: Falcons

School Name: Lopez Exceptional Student Center
Principal: Joseph Hilbush
Anticipated # of graduates: 8	Phone: 813- 744-8008
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 9, 1:30 p.m., at Lopez Elementary Cafeteria
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Leopard

School Name: Middleton High School
Principal: Tiatasha Brown
Anticipated # of graduates: 365	Phone: 813-233-3360
Valedictorian (Traditional): Lauren Matthews	GPA: 6.4231
Valedictorian (Magnet): Mauli Bhogade	GPA: 10.33
Salutatorian (Traditional): Roshard Jackson	GPA: 5.3611
Salutatorian (Magnet): Aayush Singh	GPA: 9.544
Class president: Victoria App
Graduation: July 21, 9:00 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Maroon and Gold	School mascot: Tiger

School Name: Newsome High School
Principal: Carla Bruning
Anticipated # of graduates: 750	Phone: 813-740-4600
Valedictorian: Alexander Dyer	GPA: 9.68
Salutatorian: Alexander Fullerton	GPA: 9.4061
Class president: Alec Moskowitz
Graduation: July 16, 9 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Navy, Carolina Blue and White	School mascot: Wolves

School Name: Plant High School
Principal: Johnny Bush
Anticipated # of graduates: 592	Phone: 813-272-3033
Valedictorian: Riley Schofner	GPA: 10.87
Salutatorian: Alixandra Rubin	GPA: 10.40
Class president: David Tuohy
Graduation: July 14, at 8 pm. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Panthers

School Name: Plant City High School
Principal: Susan Sullivan
Anticipated # of graduates: 500	Phone: 813- 757-9370
Valedictorian: Simran Kumar	GPA: 9.64
Salutatorian: Kyle Hamilton	GPA: 9.635
Class president: Kyle Hamilton
Graduation: July 17, 8:00 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Orange and Teal	School mascot: Raiders

School Name: Riverview High School
Principal: Danielle Shotwell
Anticipated # of graduates: 633	Phone: 813-671-5011
Valedictorian: Miranda Holder	GPA: 8.4641
Salutatorian: Brantley Neer	GPA: 8.400
Class president: Jaime Carradero
Graduation: Graduation: July 17, at 4:00 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Royal Blue, Black, and Silver	School mascot: Sharks

School Name: Robinson High School
Principal: Robert Bhoolai
Anticipated # of graduates: 346	Phone: 813-272-3006
Valedictorian (Traditional): Myron Ausby	GPA: 6.287
Valedictorian: (IB): Srikavin Ramkumar	GPA: 8.078
Salutatorian (Traditional): Kaleigh McFadden	GPA: 6.142
Salutatorian (IB): Esha Babu	GPA: 8.04
Class president: Joshua Hall-Gomez
Graduation: July 15, 4 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Black, White, and Silver	School mascot: Knights

School Name: Sickles High School
Principal: Mary Freitas
Anticipated # of graduates: 560	Phone: 813-631-4742
Valedictorian: Sara Rusheidat	GPA: 7.95
Salutatorian: Brian Pholvichitr	GPA: 7.63
Class president: Rama Al-Samkari
Graduation: July 20, 4:00 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Green and Grey	School mascot: Gryphon

School Name: Simmons Career Center
Principal: Sundy Chazares
Anticipated # of graduates: 127	Phone: 813-707-7430
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 14, at 9:00 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red, Black, and Silver	School mascot: Stallions

School Name: South County Career Center
Principal: Jennifer Davis
Anticipated # of graduates: 100	Phone: 813-233-3335
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 14, 9 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Bobcat

School Name: Spoto High School
Principal: Dr. Jazrick Haggins
Anticipated # of graduates: 382	Phone: 813-672-5405
Valedictorian: Amy Lamas	GPA: 8.6652
Salutatorian: Shirleann Quinones	GPA: 6.5270
Class president: Amy Lamas
Graduation: July 20, 12:30 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Purple and Silver	School mascot: Spartan

School Name: Steinbrenner High School
Principal: Kelly King
Anticipated # of graduates: 605	Phone: 813-792-5131
Valedictorian: Jonathan Barbara	GPA: 8.60
Salutatorian: Rebekah Hurwitz	GPA: 8.32
Class president: Ava Merquetegui Lucke
Graduation: July 16, 8:00 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Navy Blue and Athletic Gold	School mascot: Warriors

School Name: Strawberry Crest High School
Principal: Christina Raburn
Anticipated # of graduates: 496	Phone: 813-707-7522
Valedictorian (Traditional): Brindha-Lee Iyer	GPA: 8.54
Valedictorian (IB): Benjamin Sherwin	GPA: 8.50
Salutatorian (Traditional): Arturo Fuentes Jr.	GPA: 7.12
Salutatorian (IB): Nicholas Sherwin	GPA: 8.49
Class president: Autumn Miller
Graduation: July 18, 8 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red, Black, and Silver	School mascot: Chargers

School Name: Tampa Bay Technical High School
Principal: Michael Ippolito
Anticipated # of graduates: 466	Phone: 813-744-8360
Valedictorian (Traditional): Sophia Alonso	GPA: 7.47
Valedictorian (Academy of Health): Eileen Vara	GPA: 7.99
Valedictorian (Academy of Architecture): Deven Brown	GPA: 7.07
Salutatorian (Traditional): Lon Schultz	GPA: 7.02
Salutatorian (Academy of Health): Emeraude Wilson	GPA: 7.96
Salutatorian (Academy of Architecture): Cody Sackles	GPA: 7.0
Class president: Samaiya Jackson
Graduation: July 20, 9 a.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Red, Navy and White	School mascot: Titan

School Name: Wharton High School
Principal: Michael Rowan
Anticipated # of graduates: 553	Phone: 813-631-4710
Valedictorian: Sarrah Abdulali	GPA: 8.88
Salutatorian: Yash Patel	GPA: 8.64
Class president: Madelyn Crum
Graduation: July 17, 12:30 p.m. at Florida State Fairgrounds
School colors: Navy Blue, Black and White	School mascot: Wildcats

School Name: Willis Peters Exceptional Center
Principal: Gina Becker / Site Administrator Sue Bennett
Anticipated # of graduates: 5	Phone: 813-757-9462
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: July 9, 10:30 a.m. at Dover Elementary School Cafeteria
School colors: Royal Blue and White	School mascot: Dragon

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