Hillsborough County Public Schools -

For Immediate Release

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

Tampa, Fla. – (May 9, 2024) – Today, Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres surprised three outstanding high school seniors with a 2-year, $8,000 scholarship.  Link to video 

This year’s scholarship winners:

Lenaira Williams – Middleton High School

Misael Lebron - Gaither High School

Alabama Allen - Steinbrenner High School

“It was an honor to award Lenaira, Misael, and Alabama who have shown perseverance, hard work, and academic success through some hard challenges,” said Van Ayres. “We are excited to recognize these deserving students on behalf of Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida Prepaid team and wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavors.”

Florida Prepaid, the largest and longest running college savings plan in the nation, partnered with Superintendent Ayres and Hillsborough County Public Schools to help create awareness about the importance of education and saving for college early.  

More about the scholarship recipients:

Lenaira Williams – Middleton HS

Despite a challenging upbringing, marked by familial struggles, and emotional difficulties, Lenaira overcame adversity to pursue a brighter future. Raised by a cousin, she struggled with confusion and self-doubt before finding support through school clubs and social workers. Her turning point came during her sophomore year, and after joining the "Starting Right Now" program, she found the guidance needed to turn her life around. Now, with unwavering determination, she is proud to attend Miles College this fall to study social work and criminal justice, proving that she is not just developing but thriving.

Misael Lebron - Gaither HS

Misael, a middle child from Puerto Rico, grew up facing financial challenges but was inspired by his parents' hard work and determination to pursue success. Despite battling leukemia in the 8th grade and enduring "chemo-fog" during treatment, he remained anchored in his faith and emerged cancer-free. Graduating from Gaither High School with a 4.88 weighted GPA, Misael plans to attend the University of South Florida to major in Biology, with aspirations to transfer to the University of Florida to study botany and entomology. He aims to discover less harmful compounds for chemotherapy, a goal shaped by his own inspiring journey of overcoming adversity and his unwavering faith.

Alabama Allen - Steinbrenner HS

Alabama's volunteer experiences and involvement in school clubs reflect her caring and genuine character. Despite losing her mother to an overdose at age 9 and moving to Florida to live with her grandparents after her father's struggles with addiction, she has turned her life around since joining Steinbrenner High School. With a 5.43 GPA in honors and AP courses, Alabama has discovered her faith and takes on growing responsibilities at her church while holding a full-time job at Publix. Her volunteer work focuses on making others feel welcome and accepted, inspired by her own experiences of isolation and hopelessness. After graduation, she plans to attend USF to major in health science and pursue a career in nursing.