School districts in the Greater Tampa Bay area are celebrating many different things this time of year, and they are not just the holiday season and a break from school.
The schools, teachers and students are celebrating their hard work and what they have accomplished since the school year began.
Students Who Shine
A group of high school students created an app that will be presented at the Florida State Fair in February 2023.
Bella Nguyen, Alice Davis, Kaiden Salyers and Serena Ochoa are students at Pinellas Park High School and members of its STEM team. Their app, Community Waste Management, creates a cleaner environment as well as a sense of community.
They were recently part of the Young Innovators Challenge and had to solve a real-world problem. The team pitched their solution in a three-minute video, wrote a 500-word proposal and included market research.
As a semi-finalist, the team will participate in a six-week young entrepreneurship program. Inventors and business executives will mentor them. They will also be eligible to win cash prizes at the state fair.
Raphael Current, senior at Anclote High School, was named the 2022-2023 Outstanding Senior for the Pasco County School District.
He was chosen based on his academic record, service, leadership, citizenship and commitment to the school and community.
According to the school district, Current is a well-rounded student, student government president and the battalion commander for the school’s JROTC program. He is also ranked in the top 10% of his graduating class, the recipient of the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award for outstanding character and community service, captain of his premier soccer team, member of the Anclote High track and field squad and participant in the Explorer’s Program at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
The school administrators said Current “does everything with integrity and to the best of his ability” and that has “earned him the trust and respect of the students and staff.”
Recognizing Outstanding Teachers
Four local teachers were recently named finalists for its 2023 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year.
Ida S. Baker was the first African-American to serve as deputy superintendent in the Florida Department of Education. In her honor, each Hillsborough County school can nominate an individual who embodies Baker’s spirit by going above and beyond to meet the needs of the diverse student population.
Mary Valesano, third grade teacher at Burney Elementary School, was named a finalist. According to the school, her love for her students and the school is infectious.
Gaither High School’s ESE Teacher Lynda Taylor is another finalist. When she was chosen, she was thanked for making the students feel welcomed and helping them reach their full potential.
Sumner High School’s Climate/Culture Resource Teacher Sherly Gervia and Plant High School JROTC Instructor Master Sergeant Muhammed Conteh are the two other finalists.
The winner will be announced at the 2023 Excellence in Education Awards Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The 2023 Teacher of the Year and the 2023 Instructional Support Employee of the Year will also be announced.
By Celia Goodyear.
