Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 9/5/2024 8:57:00 PM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Office of Communications
813-272-4060
Aquilla MorganTampa, Fla. – (September 5, 2024) – The Hillsborough County School Board voted on Thursday to select Aquilla J. Morgan High School as the name of our new high school which is set to open in August 2025. More than 2,000 names were submitted by the community for consideration.
The state-of-the-art neighborhood school will be on an 87-acre site at 1712 West Lake Drive, Wimauma, and will accommodate 3,500 students. The property will also be home to an elementary and middle school in the future.
Aquilla Jackson Morgan served students in Hillsborough County Public Schools for over 40 years. During her career, she taught Head Start, Kindergarten, 2nd and 5th grade. Ms. Morgan made history when she was hired as the first black teacher at Wimauma Elementary School.
Ms. Morgan was known in Wimauma as the “pillar of the community.” Her passion for education changed the lives of many children in the community.
Morgan grew up and went to schools in Manatee County and continued her education at Hillsborough County Junior College, the University of South Florida for her bachelor’s degree, and the University of Tampa for her master's degree in education.
“This new high school will serve as the heartbeat of the Wimauma community and meet the evolving needs of our students,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “We look forward to opening the Aquilla J. Morgan High School in 2025, which will honor one of our outstanding educators.”
Many family members, friends, and former students of Ms. Morgan were in attendance at the school board meeting and spoke in her honor
.
"What an extraordinary school named after an extraordinary woman. This honor means everything to me and my family," said Sheila Helms, daughter of Ms. Aquilla Morgan. "My mother believed you could be whatever you wanted to be, and this is just the most wonderful way to honor her."
