Wesley Chapel High School
Valedictorian: Nick Cox
Parents: Julie Cox, Robert Cox
GPA: 4.52 weighted
Future school: The University of Florida because it's cheaper than going to a private school, and I will learn the same things anyway.
Ideal career: professor or teacher of any kind
Most influential/best teacher: science teacher Charles Banyard
Favorite book: Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes
Clubs/extracurricular: I work as a busboy at Wasabi Japanese steak house, and I spend most of my time rock climbing.
How would you improve your school or education in general? A more science-based education for all schools and much more focus on specialization.
How has the state of the economy/budget cuts impacted your education and your choices about the future? I chose to attend the University of Florida over the University of Pennsylvania.
One thing you wish you had done in high school: Science Fair and academic extracurricular activities.
Sage advice for the up-and-coming: Take as many Advanced Placement classes as you can to save money for college.
Co-salutatorian: Cody Reeves
Parents: Gary and Julie Reeves
GPA: 4.5 weighted
Future school: The University of Florida because it's the perfect distance from home and ranked highest in the state for chemistry and physics.
Ideal career: chemistry researcher
Most influential/best teacher: Advanced Placement history teacher Rebecca Sadusky
Best advice/quote: "Do just once what others say you can't do and you will never pay attention to their limitations again." — James Cook
Favorite book: The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas.
Clubs/extracurricular: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Teen Court, tutoring
How has the state of the economy/budget cuts impacted your education and your choices about the future? There's more of an incentive to stay within the state.
Sage advice for the up-and-coming: Don't forgo the journey just to reach the destination.
One thing you wish you had done in high school: Just hang out with friends a little more.
Co-salutatorian: Czarina Teano
Parents: Joaquin Teano, Marie Teano
GPA: 4.5 weighted
Future school: University of Florida
Ideal career: pediatrician/neurologist
Most influential/best teacher: Brian Simmons (AP biology) and Sean Gaudet (drama)
Best advice/quote: "Do or do not. There is no try." — Yoda
Hardships overcome: My family immigrated to this country when I was only 9. I was able to comprehend English, but speaking and communication was quite a challenge.
Favorite book: The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Clubs/extracurricular: National Honor Society (co-president), International Thespian Society, Mu Alpha Theta
How would you improve your school or education in general: Have more of a variety of courses offered for students to explore.
How has the state of the economy/budget cuts impacted your education and your choices about the future? Budget cuts with Bright Futures Scholarship program. I relied on the scholarship to help pay for my college tuition. Now I have to find another way to ease the cost of attending university.
Sage advice for the up-and-coming: Do what interests you most; never underestimate yourself.
One thing you wish you had done in high school: I have no regrets.
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