Hillsborough public schools celebrate 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians
The Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top graduates continues this week with a look at Hillsborough County. Commencement ceremonies for traditional public high schools begin Wednesday and continue through most of next week at the Florida State Fairgrounds, according to the district’s schedule.
Here are some of the students who will be highlighted:
Alonso High
Valedictorian
Eryn Klaus
GPA: 7.36
Parents: Eric and Jennifer Klaus
College: University of Florida
Major: Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience
Salutatorian
Devin Hurst
GPA: 7.04
Parents: David and Stacy Hurst
College: West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Major: Mechanical engineering
Armwood High
Valedictorian
Lex Estevez
GPA: 7.15
Parents: Edwin and Anjari Estevez
College: University of South Florida
Major: Studio art
Salutatorian
Daisy Cerro-Tepetate
GPA: 6.41
Parents: Guadalupe Cerro and Veronica Tepetate
College: University of South Florida
Major: International business
Collegiate Academy at Armwood High
Valedictorian
Logan Curtin
GPA: 8.91
Parents: Jason and Ashley Curtin
College: University of Florida
Major: Sports management, creative writing
Salutatorian
Layla Coffey
GPA: 8.17
Parents: Peter and Suzanne Coffey
College: Florida Institute of Technology
Major: Computer science (concentration: cyber operations, computer engineering)
Blake High
Valedictorian
Bradley Gober
GPA: 6.73
Parents: Michelle and Michael Devereaux
College: Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Political science (pre-law)
Salutatorian
Nelson Vazquez
GPA: 5.59
Parents: Nelson Vazquez and Wendy Gutierrez
College: University of South Florida or Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Major: Software engineering
Blake High Performing and Visual Arts Magnet
Valedictorian
Andrew Foster
GPA: 7.52
Parents: John T. and Sandi K. Foster
College: Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester or the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University
Major: Horn performance, chemical engineering.
Salutatorian
Gabriella Zumbano
GPA: 6.94
Parents: Carl R. Zumbano and Colleen P. Tenbroeck
College: Mount Holyoke College or Hampshire College
Major: Theater, history
Bloomingdale High
Valedictorian
Jacob Delikat
GPA: 10.12
Parents: Jemy and Terrence Delikat
College: University of South Florida
Major: Electrical engineering
Salutatorian
Alexa Brown
GPA: 9.52
Parents: Joseph Brown III and Elizabeth Brown
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Major: Chemical engineering
Brandon High
Valedictorian
Boglarka Csanadi
GPA: 8.00
Parents: Eva Gulyas Csanadi and Miklos Csanadi
College: University of Florida
Major: Computer science
Salutatorian
Daven Mejica
GPA: 6.94
Parents: Christian and Rocelyn Mejica
College: University of South Florida
Major: Medical biology
Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High
Valedictorian
Khushi Mathur
GPA: 9.24
Parents: Sandip and Soni Mathur
College: University of Florida
Major: Business administration and management
Salutatorian
Anjalee Parbhoo
GPA: 9.00
Parents: Sejal and Jateen Parbhoo
College: University of South Florida
Major: Psychology
Chamberlain High
Valedictorian
Kaysar Srayaldin
GPA: 6.82
Parents: Ghassan Srayaldin and Wafaa Ghannam
College: Princeton University
Major: Computer science, finance.
Salutatorian
Ariel C. David
GPA: 6.04
Parents: Harry David and Madlina Ezekias
College: Hillsborough Community College
Major: Computer science
Durant High
Valedictorian
Mollie Usher
GPA: 8.74
Parents: Gretchen Hoke and David Usher
College: University of Florida
Major: Pre-med
Salutatorian
Caleb Tubaugh
GPA: 7.28
Parents: Shawn and Jeff Tubaugh
College: Florida Polytechnic University
Major: Computer engineering
East Bay High
Valedictorian
Akina-Naomi Kennedy
GPA: 6.92
Parents: Fritz Kennedy and Carolyn Wilson-Kennedy
College: Rollins College
Major: Music
Salutatorian
Haley Whitzel
GPA: 6.91
Parents: Trisha and Raymond Whitzel
College: University of South Florida
Major: Nursing
Freedom High
Valedictorian
Sofia Murrin
GPA: 8.22
Parents: Patrick and Carmela Murrin
College: University of Notre Dame
Major: Biochemistry and finance
Salutatorian
Mary Sutton
GPA: 8.03
Parents: Steven and Danielle Sutton
College: University of Virginia
Major: Nursing
Gaither High
Co-Valedictorian
Sara Melo Fernandez
GPA: 7.36
Parents: Martha and Walter Fernandez
College: Duke University
Major: Psychology
Co-Valedictorian
Michelle Poveda
GPA: 7.36
Parents: Rubiela Poveda and Miguel Quiroga
College: University of South Florida
Major: Psychology and criminology
Hillsborough High
Valedictorian
Ivan Gonzalez
GPA: 6.4
Parents: Ayolbi Alvarez, Lazaro Alvarez and Pedro Gonzalez
College: University of South Florida
Salutatorian
Nathan Olson
GPA: 6.0
Parents: Scott and Monica Olson
College: University of South Florida
International Baccalaureate program at Hillsborough High
Valedictorian
Ashar Farrukh
GPA: 8.24
Parents: Sadia Farrukh and Farrukh Asghar
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Salutatorian
Joshua Selvan
GPA: 7.81
Parents: Gurusamy Tamil-Selvan and Sarulatha Selvan
College: University of South Florida
Hillsborough Virtual School
Valedictorian
Tristin House
GPA: 6.92
Parent: Kimberly Julien
College: University of Florida
Major: Political science, English (pre-law)
Salutatorian
Mackenzie McDonald
GPA: 6.72
Parents: John and Traci McDonald
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Major: Psychology
Jefferson High
Valedictorian
Isabel Pena
GPA: 5.76
Parents: Orlando and Elizabeth Pena
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biology
Salutatorian
Maria Ramirez Urgell
GPA: 5.65
Parents: Roger Ramirez and Monica Urgell
College: Hillsborough Community College, then USF
Major: Nursing
Jefferson High Leadership Academy
Valedictorian
Melanie Hernandez
GPA: 7.27
Parents: Miguel Hernandez and Judith Troncoso
College: Florida State University
Major: Global and international affairs
Salutatorian
Zainab Onafowokan
GPA: 6.75
Parents: Fasasi and Alirat Apata
College: University of Florida
Major: Business and finance (pre-law)
King High
Valedictorian
Anthony Chavez Zuniga
GPA: 6.01
Parents: Bryan Chavez Ramos and Tania Chavez
College: University of South Florida
Major: Business management
Salutatorian
Nicolas Castellano
GPA: 5.95
Parents: Vince and Amy Dippolito
College: University of South Florida
Major: Entrepreneurship
International Baccalaureate program at King High
Valedictorian
Shiva Ranganathan
GPA: 9.07
Parents: Nagarajan and Radhika Ranganathan
College: Georgetown University
Major: Health care administration
Salutatorian
Ahbab Abeer
GPA: 8.92
Parents: Md. Abul Khair and Afroja Begum
College: Duke University
Major: Computer science
Lennard High
Valedictorian
Jadyn Delgado
GPA: 6.66
Parents: Jeremiah and Noelle Delgado
College: Florida State University
Major: Meteorology
Salutatorian
Alejandra Lopez-Perez
GPA: 6.49
Parents: Salvador Lopez-Villa and Mayra Perez
College: University of South Florida
Major: Engineering
Collegiate Academy at Lennard High
Valedictorian
Belinda Solis
GPA: 8.19
Parents: Juan and Maria Solis
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences, public health
Salutatorian
Makenzie Estabrook
GPA: 8.04
Parents: Adam and Carissa Estabrook
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Leto High
Valedictorian
Leidis Fuentes Morlote
GPA: 7.62
Parents: Jose Sotto Hermosilla, Osmeris Fuentes and Maryvi Morlote Hernandez
College: Undecided
Major: Civil engineering/architectural design
Salutatorian
Anthony Menendez
GPA: 6.30
Parents: Jose Menendez and Maria Perez
College: University of Florida
Major: Biology
Collegiate Academy at Leto High
Valedictorian
Ayana Febles
GPA: 8.68
Parents: Kenneth Febles and Elaine Gomez
College: University of Florida
Major: Microbiology and cell science, neuroscience
Salutatorian
Ian Liwosz
GPA: 7.8
Parents: Leonard and Michelle Liwosz
College: University of Florida
Major: Mathematics, education
Middleton High
Valedictorian
Shamya Barker
GPA: 4.95
Parents: Arthur Hall and Sylvia Darby
College: South Carolina State
Salutatorian
Delilah Tolbert
GPA: 4.52
Parents: Demetrious Tolbert and Lakisha Smith-Tolbert
College: Florida A&M University
Middleton High STEM magnet
Valedictorian
Bhavya Bansal
GPA: 11.30
Parents: Suneet Bansal and Ruchi Gupta
College: Case Western University
Salutatorian
Pranav Kulkarni
GPA: 10.98
Parents: Venuvenkat and Bhagyashree Kulkarni
College: University of Florida
Newsome High
Valedictorian
Erik Dyer
GPA: 11.80
Parents: Anthony and Dawn Dyer
College: Princeton University or Stanford University
Major: Engineering
Salutatorian
Dacoda Mavarez
GPA: 9.28
Parent: Leslie Scarandino
College: University of Florida
Major: Pre-med
Dr. Kiran C. Patel High
Valedictorian
Jasmine Mazard-Larry
GPA: 8.07
Parents: Larry Lavaris and Nidta Mazard
College: University of Notre Dame
Major: Biology
Salutatorian
Ava Tran
GPA: 6.81
Parents: Raymond Tran and Gina Dang
College: University of South Florida
Major: Business, cyber security concentration
Plant High
Valedictorian
Katherine Bentley
GPA: 9.20
Parents: Lee and Weatherly Bentley
College: Princeton University
Major: Public policy
Salutatorian
Elliot Francolla
GPA: 8.92
Parents: John and Stacy Francolla
College: University of Oxford
Major: History and economics
Plant City High
Valedictorian
Tina Kumar
GPA: 11.00
Parents: Daljit Kumar and Balbir Kaur
College: University of South Florida
Salutatorian
Naydelin Trejo
GPA: 8.96
Parents: Julio Trejo and Enriqueta Santibanez
College: University of Florida
Riverview High
Valedictorian
Daniel Rojas
GPA: 8.25
Parents: Solie Rojas and Karloren Guzman
College: University of Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Salutatorian
Zoe Myers
GPA: 7.86
Parent: Laura Myers
College: Florida Atlantic University
Major: Biochemistry and neuroscience
Robinson High
Valedictorian
Isabella Cuevas
GPA: 6.45
Parents: Osvaldo and Samantha Cuevas
College: University of Central Florida
Major: Political science
Salutatorian
Russell Vifquain
GPA: 6.42
Parents: Steven and Anamaria Vifquain
College: Florida State University
Major: Data science and business
International Baccalaureate program at Robinson High
Valedictorian
Rahul Ranjithkumar
GPA: 8.02
Parents: Velu and Shakeela Ranjithkumar
College: University of Florida
Salutatorian
Praveen Prabaharan
GPA: 8.00
Parents: Nagulasingaratnam and Vijitha Prabaharan
College: University of Florida or Georgia Tech
Major: Mechanical engineering
Sickles High
Valedictorian
Pope Tatum
GPA: 8.34
Parents: Shaun and Dana Pope
College: University of Florida
Major: Architecture
Salutatorian
Aishwarya Kandukuru
GPA: 8.12
Parents: Srinivasul and Rajasree Kandukuru
College: University of Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Spoto High
Valedictorian
Andy Lin
GPA: 6.07
Parents: Yao Lin and Ying Chen
College: Tallahassee Community College, then FSU
Major: Biological science
Salutatorian
Jayden Ehrhart
GPA: 5.79
Parents: Kara and Brian Ehrhart
College: University of North Florida
Major: Biomedical science
Collegiate Academy at Spoto High
Valedictorian
Lilliana Denick
GPA: 7.60
Parent: Kimberly Durham
College: University of South Florida
Major: Pre-med
Salutatorian
Nevaeh Johnson
GPA: 7.52
Parent: Britta Johnson
College: Florida International University
Major: Marine biology
Steinbrenner High
Valedictorian
Kartikeye Gupta
GPA: 8.76
Parents: Gaurav and Pragati Kumar
College: University of California, Berkeley
Major: Data science
Salutatorian
Fadi Gouda
GPA: 8.04
Parents: Ihab Abdelhalim and Germin Mosaad
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Strawberry Crest High
Valedictorian
Amelia Gomez
GPA: 7.62
Parents: Mario and Kari Gomez
College: University of Central Florida
Major: Film production, dance
Salutatorian
Alyssa Hudson
GPA: 7.58
Parents: James and Tamara Hudson
College: University of South Florida
Major: ASL interpreting, deaf studies
International Baccalaureate program at Strawberry Crest High
Valedictorian
Akhil Challa
GPA: 8.78
Parent: Subbaraya Challa and Ratina Durvasula
College: University of Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Salutatorian
Jay Chaplot
GPA: 8.76
Parents: Prakash and Simmy Chaplot
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Computer science
Sumner High
Valedictorian
Chi Mai
GPA: 7.48
Parents: Giao Trinh and Anh Mai
College: University of Florida
Major: Public health
Salutatorian
Jackson Hopkins
GPA: 7.42
Parents: Jimmy and Joy Calixte, James Hopkins
College: Florida A&M University
Tampa Bay Technical High
Valedictorian
Pavan Moturi
GPA: 6.76
Parents: Satyarayana and Chaitanya Moturi
College: University of South Florida
Major: Information technology
Salutatorian
George Danso
GPA: 6.21
Parent: Maria Sequeira
College: University of South Florida
Major: Information technology
Tampa Bay Technical High Academy of Health Professions
Valedictorian
Arsema Denber
GPA: 8.2429
Parents: Genet Aderia and Fekadu Lalgo
College: University of Florida or USC
Major: Psychology (pre-med)
Salutatorian
Isabelle McNamara
GPA: 8.2400
Parents: Lauren and Robert McNamara
College: University of Florida
Major: Microbiology, math
Tampa Bay Technical High Academy of Architecture
Valedictorian
Celina Torres-Rios
GPA: 7.74
Parents: Patricia Rios and Herrison Torres-Ruiz
College: Kansas State University
Major: Architectural engineering
Salutatorian
Akeel Hakim
GPA: 6.64
Parents: Waleed and Meira Hakim
College: University of Florida
Major: Mechanical engineering
Wharton High
Valedictorian
David Ascano
GPA: 7.5844
Parents: Felipe and Yaneisy Ascano
College: University of Florida
Major: Computer engineering or pre-dental
Salutatorian
Sammy Gillespie
GPA: 7.5775
Parents: Brian and Aicha Gillespie
College: Wharton College of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
Major: Finance and management
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