Hillsborough County Public Schools Celebrates the Class of 2023

Posted by Tanya Arja or Jennifer Holton on 5/5/2023 2:19:00 PM

For Immediate Release

Contact:   Tanya Arja or Jennifer Holton
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Office of Communications
813-272-4060

Tampa, Fl. (May 5, 2023) – Hillsborough County Public Schools is proud of the Class of 2023 and sends our congratulations to each graduate for their hard work and dedication to reach this milestone.

Graduation ceremonies begin on Tuesday, May 16^th for exceptional student centers and on Wednesday, May 24^th for traditional high schools. All traditional high school ceremonies will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall (4800 US 301, Tampa).

Family members who are unable to attend the ceremony in person, can watch the entire graduation live at Hillsborough Schools TV, Spectrum cable channel 635 and Frontier cable channel 32.

“I want to congratulate our amazing graduates on this important accomplishment and acknowledge that they have persevered through some incredibly challenging times. Collectively, our seniors have earned millions of dollars in scholarships, been accepted to universities and colleges across the country, earned the honor of admittance to military academies, and have been hired to begin an exciting new career right after graduation. I thank our teachers, administrators, and support staff for preparing our graduates to continue their journey as lifelong learners, and I hope that many of the people our students have encountered at HCPS will continue to play a prominent role in their lives,” said Superintendent Addison Davis, Hillsborough County Public Schools.

For security reasons, media interested in covering any of the graduation ceremonies must contact Jennifer Holton or Tanya Arja in the Office of Communications. Once the Office of Communications is notified, reporters and photographers should enter the fairgrounds in a marked media vehicle at the 301 gate and proceed to the Expo Hall. Once inside, media will be escorted to the area where they will be permitted.

Please see a list of our distinguished graduates below and click on the link for a full list of each graduation date and time:

School Name: Alonso High School
Principal: James Harris
Anticipated # of graduates: 583		Phone: 813-356-1528
Valedictorian: Eryn Klaus		GPA: 7.36
Salutatorian: Devin Hurst		GPA: 7.04
Class president: Elise Christensen
Graduation: Wednesday, May 24, 3:30 p.m., the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School Colors: Navy Blue, Gold and White	School mascot: Ravens

School Name: Armwood High School
Principal: Dina Langston
Anticipated # of graduates: 465		Phone: 813-744-8040
Valedictorian (Traditional): Lex Estevez		GPA: 7.15
Salutatorian (Traditional): Daisy Cerro-Tepetate		GPA: 6.41
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Logan Curtin		GPA: 8.91
Salutatorian (Collegiate Academy): Layla Coffey		GPA: 8.17
Class president: Emily Herman
Graduation: Thursday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Gray, Blue and Maroon	School mascot: Hawks

School Name: Blake High School
Principal: Valerie Newton
Anticipated # of graduates: 313		Phone: 813-272-3695
Valedictorian (Traditional): Bradley Gober		GPA: 6.73
Valedictorian (Magnet): Andrew Foster		GPA: 7.52
Salutatorian (Traditional): Nelson Vazquez		GPA: 5.59
Salutatorian (Magnet): Gabriella Zumbano		GPA: 6.94
Class president: Armani Blanchett
Graduation: Friday, May 26, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Black and Yellow	School mascot: Yellow jackets

School Name: Bloomingdale High School
Principal: Marcos Rodriguez
Anticipated # of graduates: 555		Phone: 813-744-8018
Valedictorian(s): Jacob Delikat		GPA: 9.99
Salutatorian(s): Alexa Brown		GPA: 9.52
Class president: Kathryn Daigle
Graduation: Wednesday, May 24, 12 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red, Black, and White	School mascot: Bulls

School Name: Bowers/Whitley Career Center
Principal: Derrick Gaines
Anticipated # of graduates: 37		Phone: 813-558-1750
Valedictorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Saturday, May 27, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Navy/Carolina Blue	School mascot: Vikings

School Name: Brandon High School
Principal: Jeremy Klein
Anticipated # of graduates: 348		Phone: 813-744-8120
Valedictorian(s): Boglarka Csanadi		GPA: 8.00
Salutatorian(s): Daven Mejica		GPA: 6.94
Class president: Shayanna Rutland
Graduation: Saturday, May 27, noon at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Maroon and White	School mascot: Eagle

School Name: Caminiti Exceptional Center
Principal: Joseph Hilbush
Anticipated # of graduates: 8		Phone: 813-975-7611
Valedictorian(s): N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian(s): N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Tuesday, May 16, 10 a.m. Caminiti Multipurpose Room
School colors: Teal Blue and Gold	School mascot: Cougar

School Name: Carver Center
Principal: Artis Gambrell Jr.
Anticipated # of graduates: 6		Phone: 813- 236-3500
Valedictorian(s): N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian(s): N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Thursday, May 18, 1 p.m. Carver Cafeteria
School colors: Blue, Orange and White	School mascot: Tigers

School Name: Chamberlain High School
Principal: Jake Russell
Anticipated # of graduates: 266		Phone: 813-975-7677
Valedictorian(s): Kaysar Srayaldin		GPA: 6.82
Salutatorian(s): Ariel C David		GPA: 6.04
Class president: Alexia Elizabeth Taveras
Graduation: Thursday June 1, noon at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Green and Gold	School mascot: Chiefs

School Name: Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center
Principal: Kelly Simmons
Anticipated # of graduates: 10	Phone:813-975-7355
Valedictorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A	GPA: N/A
Class President: N/A
Graduation: Thursday, May 18, 1 p.m. Dorothy Thomas ESC
School Colors: Navy, White and Gold	School Mascot: Jaguars

School Name: Durant High School
Principal: Gary Graham
Anticipated # of graduates: 575		Phone: 813-757-9075
Valedictorian: Mollie Usher		GPA: 8.73
Salutatorian: Caleb Tubaugh		GPA: 7.28
Class president: Ayla Yebba
Graduation: Tuesday May 30, 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Navy, Gold, White	School mascot: Cougar

School Name: East Bay High School
Principal: Amy Stevens-Cox
Anticipated # of graduates: 475		Phone: 813-671-5134
Valedictorian(s): Akina-Naomi Kennedy		GPA: 6.92
Salutatorian(s): Haley Whitzel		GPA: 6.91
Class president: Hailey Sturgeon
Graduation: Wednesday, May 31, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red and Gray	School mascot: Indians

School Name: Freedom High School
Principal: Kevin Stephenson
Anticipated # of graduates: 375		Phone: 813-558-1185
Valedictorian: Sofia Murrin		GPA: 8.22
Salutatorian: Mary Sutton		GPA: 8.03
Class president: Sofia Murrin
Graduation: Tuesday, May 30, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red, White and Blue	School mascot: Patriot

School Name: Gaither High School
Principal: Thomas Morrill
Anticipated # of graduates: 485		Phone: 813-975-7340
Valedictorian: Michelle Poveda & Sara Melo Fernandez		GPA: 7.36
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: Victoria Nicole Karsen
Graduation: Tuesday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Blue, Silver, and White	School mascot: Cowboys

School Name: Hillsborough High School
Principal: Kevin Gordon
Anticipated # of graduates: 411		Phone: 813-276-5632
Valedictorian (Traditional): Ivan Gonzalez		GPA: 6.4
Valedictorian (IB): Ashar Farrukh		GPA: 8.24
Salutatorian (Traditional): Nathan Olson		GPA: 6.01
Salutatorian (IB): Joshua Selvan		GPA: 7.81
Class president: Aleysha Lopez Villanueva
Graduation: Wednesday, May 24, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red and Black	School mascot: Terriers

School Name: Hillsborough Virtual School
Director: Matthew Hoff
Anticipated # of graduates: 95		Phone: 813-983-7278
Valedictorian: Tristin House		GPA: 6.92
Salutatorian: Mackenzie McDonald		GPA: 6.72
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Sunday, May 28, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Navy, Carolina Blue and White	School mascot: Trail Blazers

School Name: Jefferson High School
Principal: Brittney Wilhelm
Anticipated # of graduates: 271		Phone: 813.875.5251
Valedictorian (Traditional): Isabel Pena		GPA: 5.76
Valedictorian (Magnet): Melanie Hernandez		GPA: 7.27
Salutatorian (Traditional): Maria Ramirez Urgell		GPA: 5.65
Salutatorian (Magnet): Zainab Onafowokan		GPA: 6.75
Class President: Melanie Hernandez
Graduation: Wednesday, May 31, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Blue and Gold	School mascot: Dragons

School Name: King High School
Principal: Arlene Castelli
Anticipated # of graduates: 322		Phone: 813-744-8333
Valedictorian (Traditional): Anthony Chavez Zuniga		GPA: 6.01
Valedictorian (IB): Shiva Ranganathan		GPA: 9.07
Salutatorian (Traditional): Nicolas Castellano		GPA: 5.95
Salutatorian (IB): Ahbab Abeer		GPA: 8.92
Class president: Shiva Ranganathan
Graduation: Sunday, May 28, noon at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Columbia Blue, Scarlet, White	School mascot: Lions

School Name: LaVoy Exceptional Center
Principal: Scottie Basham
Anticipated # of graduates: 3		Phone: 813-872-5285
Valedictorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Tuesday, May 16, 1 p.m. at Lavoy Exceptional Student Center
School colors: Blue and Silver	School mascot: Lancers

School Name: Lennard High School
Principal: Denise Savino
Anticipated # of graduates: 492		Phone: 813-641-5611
Valedictorian (Traditional): Jadyn Delgado		GPA: 6.67
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Belinda Solis		GPA: 8.19
Salutatorian (Traditional): Alejandra Lopez-Perez		GPA: 6.49
Salutatorian (Collegiate Academy): Makenzie Estabrook		GPA: 8.04
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Sunday, May 28, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Purple and Gold	School mascot: Longhorns

School Name: Leto High School
Principal: Larissa McCoy
Anticipated # of graduates: 436		Phone: 813-872-5300
Valedictorian (Traditional): Leidis Fuentes Morlote		GPA: 7.62
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Ayana Febles		GPA: 8.68
Salutatorian (Traditional): Anthony Menendez		GPA: 6.30
Salutatorian (Collegiate Academy): Ian Liwosz		GPA: 7.8
Class president: Esmeralda Curri
Graduation: Friday, May 26, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red, White and Gold	School mascot: Falcons

School Name: Lopez Exceptional Student Center
Principal: Sara Schwanzl
Anticipated # of graduates: 4		Phone: 813- 744-8008
Valedictorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Wednesday, May 17, 10 a.m. Lopez Exceptional Student Center
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Leopard

School Name: Middleton High School
Principal: Mickey Boddie
Anticipated # of graduates: 298		Phone: 813-233-3360
Valedictorian (Traditional): Shamya Barker		GPA: 4.95
Valedictorian (Magnet): Bhavya Bansal		GPA: 11.3
Salutatorian (Traditional): Delilah Tolbert		GPA: 4.52
Salutatorian (Magnet): Pranav Kulkarni		GPA: 10.98
Class president: Christian Martinez
Graduation: Saturday, May 27, 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Maroon and Gold	School mascot: Tigers

School Name: Newsome High School
Principal: Katie Rocha
Anticipated # of graduates: 700		Phone: 813-740-4600
Valedictorian: Erik Dyer		GPA: 11.8
Salutatorian: Dacoda Mavarez		GPA: 9.28
Class president: Ella Monahan
Graduation: Tuesday, May 30, noon at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Navy, Carolina Blue and White	School mascot: Wolves

School Name: Plant High School
Principal: Kimi Hellenberg
Anticipated # of graduates: 647		Phone: 813-272-3033
Valedictorian: Katherine Bentley		GPA: 9.2
Salutatorian: Elliot Francolla		GPA: 8.92
Class president: Hyatt Criser
Graduation: Thursday, May 25, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Panthers

School Name: Plant City High School
Principal: Susan Sullivan
Anticipated # of graduates: 503		Phone: 813- 757-9370
Valedictorian: Tina Kumar		GPA: 11.0
Salutatorian: Naydelin Trejo		GPA: 8.96
Class president: Josephina Mejia
Graduation: Wednesday, May 24, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Orange and Teal	School mascot: Raiders

School Name: Riverview High School
Principal: Brian Spiro
Anticipated # of graduates: 603		Phone: 813-671-5011
Valedictorian: Daniel Rojas		GPA: 8.25
Salutatorian: Zoe Myers		GPA: 7.86
Class president: Lorena Soto
Graduation: Wednesday, May 31, 12 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Royal Blue, Black, and Silver	School mascot: Sharks

School Name: Robinson High School
Principal: David Brown
Anticipated # of graduates: 346		Phone: 813-272-3006
Valedictorian (Traditional): Isabella Cuevas		GPA: 6.45
Valedictorian: (IB): Rahul Ranjithkumar		GPA: 8.02
Salutatorian (Traditional): Russell Vifquain		GPA: 6.42
Salutatorian (IB): Preveen Prabaharan		GPA: 8.04
Class president: Sara Gainer
Graduation: Sunday, May 28, 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Black, White, and Silver	School mascot: Knights

School Name: Sickles High School
Principal: Krista Luloff
Anticipated # of graduates: 577		Phone: 813-631-4742
Valedictorian: Pope Tatum		GPA: 8.34
Salutatorian: Aishwarya Kandukuru		GPA: 8.12
Class president: Ella Paulsson and Alexander Rashedi
Graduation: Wednesday, May 31, 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Green and Grey	School mascot: Gryphon

School Name: Simmons Career Center
Principal: Cleto Chazares
Anticipated # of graduates: 97		Phone: 813-707-7430
Valedictorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Saturday, May 27, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red, Black, and Silver	School mascot: Stallions

School Name: South County Career Acceleration Academy
Principal: Jennifer Woods
Anticipated # of graduates: 88		Phone: 813-233-3335
Valedictorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class president: N/A
Graduation: Saturday, May 27, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Black and Gold	School mascot: Bobcat

School Name: Spoto High School
Principal: Dr. Jazrick Haggins
Anticipated # of graduates: 384	Phone: 813-672-5405
Valedictorian (Traditional): Andy Lin	GPA: 6.07
Valedictorian (Collegiate Academy): Lilliana Denick	GPA: 7.60
Salutatorian (Traditional): Jayden Ehrhart	GPA: 5.79
Salutatorian: (Collegiate Academy): Nevaeh Johnson	GPA: 7.52
Class president: Kiera Taylor
Graduation: Friday, May 26, noon at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Purple and Silver	School mascot: Spartans

School Name: Steinbrenner High School
Principal: Tiffany Ewell
Anticipated # of graduates: 641		Phone: 813-792-5131
Valedictorian: Kartikeye Gupta		GPA: 8.76
Salutatorian: Fadi Gouda		GPA: 8.04
Class president: Emily Schoessler
Graduation: Thursday, May 25, noon at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Navy Blue and Athletic Gold	School mascot: Warriors

School Name: Strawberry Crest High School
Principal: Christina Raburn
Anticipated # of graduates: 517		Phone: 813-707-7522
Valedictorian (Traditional): Amelia Gomez		GPA: 7.62
Valedictorian (IB): Akhil Challa		GPA: 8.78
Salutatorian (Traditional): Alyssa Hudson		GPA: 7.58
Salutatorian (IB): Jay Chaplot		GPA: 8.76
Class president: Dwayne Jones
Graduation: Thursday, May 25, 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red, Black, and Silver	School mascot: Chargers

School Name: Sumner High School
Principal: Rob Nelson
Anticipated # of Graduates: 695	Phone:
Valedictorian: Chi Mai	GPA: 7.48
Salutatorian: Jackson Hopkins	GPA: 7.42
Class President: Jonathan Sommervil
Graduation: Saturday, May 27, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School Colors: Navy Blue, Kelly Green, and Silver	School Mascot: Rays

School Name: Tampa Bay Technical High School
Principal: Ernestine Woody
Anticipated # of graduates: 437		Phone: 813-744-8360
Valedictorian (Traditional): Pavan Moturi		GPA: 6.76
Valedictorian (Academy of Health): Arsema Denber		GPA: 8.25
Valedictorian (Academy of Architecture: Celina Torres-Rios		GPA: 7.74
Salutatorian (Traditional): George Danso		GPA: 6.21
Salutatorian (Academy of Health): Isabelle McNamara		GPA: 8.24
Salutatorian (Academy of Architecture): Akeel Hakim		GPA: 6.64
Class president: Raemarie Parks-Royal
Graduation: Thursday, June 1, 8:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Red, Navy and White	School mascot: Titan

School Name: Wharton High School
Principal: Michael Rowan
Anticipated # of graduates: 467		Phone: 813-631-4710
Valedictorian: David Ascano		GPA: 7.58
Salutatorian: Sammy Gillespie		GPA: 7.58
Class president: William Hineline
Graduation: Thursday, June 1, 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall
School colors: Navy Blue, Black and White	School mascot: Wildcats

School Name: Willis Peters Exceptional Center
Principal: Cara Yacinich
Anticipated # of graduates: 9
Valedictorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Salutatorian: N/A		GPA: N/A
Class President: N/A
Graduation: Wednesday, May 17, 1 p.m. at the Willis Peters ESC
School Colors: Royal Blue and White	School Mascot: Dragons