Meet the top students for 2023 at Hillsborough private schools
Private schools in Hillsborough County are the focus as the Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top students continues this week. Here’s a look at names and faces leading the Class of 2023.
Academy of the Holy Names
Valedictorian
Madison Kwo, 18
Parents: Daisy and Haw Kwo
College: Carnegie Mellon University
Major: Chemistry (biochemistry track)
Salutatorian
Katherine Petitt, 18
Parents: Amee and Richard Petitt
College: Johns Hopkins University
Major: Chemistry (pre-med)
Bayshore Christian School
Valedictorian
Sydney Walker, 17
GPA: 5.8
Parent: Lisa Walker
College: Florida State University
Major: Nursing
Salutatorian
Tyana Tibby, 18
GPA: 5.4
Parent: Tamara-Kay Tibby
College: Florida International University
Major: Photography and marketing
Brandon Academy
Valedictorian
Jeffrey Arthur Bergman, 18
GPA: 4.34
Parents: Carl and Nancy Bergman
College: Undecided
Salutatorian
Nazaru Jahmai-Steele, 18
GPA: 4.21
Parents: Paul Steele and Grace Bartlett
College: Undecided
Cambridge Christian School
Valedictorian
Selah Marie Martinez-Diehm, 17
GPA: 4.77
Parents: Yvette and Eric Diehm
College: University of Florida
Major: Health sciences
Salutatorian
Joshua Wilson Willeke, 18
GPA: 4.76
Parents: Traicey and Brian Willeke
College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering physics
Carrollwood Day School
Valedictorian
Carter Casey, 18
Parents: Shawn and Kim Casey
College: Duke University
Major: Finance
Salutatorian
Hailee Spoor, 18
Parents: Brad and Kristen Spoor
College: University of Florida
Major: English
Central Baptist Christian School
Valedictorian
Ethan Newell, 17
GPA: 4.3
Parents: David and Michelle Newell
College: Palm Beach Atlantic University
Major: Medicinal and biological chemistry (pharmacy concentration)
Salutatorian
Brittany Santillan, 18
GPA: 4.2
Parents: Alexander and Viviana Santillan
College: Undecided
Major: Pre-dental
Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High
Valedictorian
Jose Bello Sanchez, 18
GPA: 4.47
Parents: Jose and Maria Bello
College: New York University
Major: Film and television
Salutatorian
Christian Achecar, 18
GPA: 4.27
Parent: Maria Grosvenor
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biology
Grace Christian School (Valrico)
Valedictorian
Esther Lynne Winter, 18
GPA: 4.40
Parents: Josiah and Katie Winter
College: University of South Florida
Major: Hospitality and tourism
Salutatorian
Kirsten Gabbryela Pabon, 17
GPA: 4.32
Parents: Harry and Yamilet Pabon
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biology
Jesuit High
Valedictorian
Cameron Bailey, 18
GPA: 4.66
Parents: Michele and Kyle Bailey
College: University of Florida
Major: Business administration and management
Salutatorian
Christopher Tan, 18
GPA: 4.64
Parents: Susan Arianto-Tan and Iggy Tan
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biomedical sciences
Keystone Prep High
Valedictorian
Lucas Giese, 18
GPA: 3.91
Parents: Peter and Rebecca Giese
College: Undecided
Major: Undecided
Salutatorian
Edward Czyzewski, 17
GPA: 3.72
Parents: Elisa and Thaddeus Czyzewski
College: Young Harris College
Major: Psychology
Seffner Christian Academy
Valedictorian
Lauren Ijewere, 17
GPA: 4.6
Parents: Francis and Lyra Ijewere
College: University of Florida
Major: Biochemistry
Salutatorian
Madison Grimsich, 18
GPA: 4.5
Parents: Timothy and Laura Grimsich
College: Purdue University
Major: Biology
Tampa Catholic High
Valedictorian
Isabel Melendez-Soto, 17
GPA: 4.60
Parents: Yamira Soto Cebollero and Luis Melendez-Collazo
College: University of Florida
Major: Political science
Salutatorian
Catalina Frey, 18
GPA: 4.58
Parents: Sabrina Frey and Christopher Frey Sr.
College: University of Florida
Major: Health science (pre-dental)
Tampa Preparatory School
Co-Valedictorian
Maximilian Borlongan, 17
Parents: Cesar Borlongan and Christine Stahl
College: Undecided
Major: Neuroscience (pre-med)
Co-Valedictorian
Walker Wilson, 18
Parents: John and Kimberly Wilson
College: Dartmouth College
Major: Ancient history and economics
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