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Meet the 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians for Pinellas public schools

Graduation ceremonies are happening this week.
A Seminole High School graduate is pictured after commencement ceremonies at Tropicana Field on Friday, May 20, 2022, in St. Petersburg. Ceremonies for the Class of 2023 in Pinellas County began Saturday and will continue this week.
A Seminole High School graduate is pictured after commencement ceremonies at Tropicana Field on Friday, May 20, 2022, in St. Petersburg. Ceremonies for the Class of 2023 in Pinellas County began Saturday and will continue this week. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Published May 15|Updated May 16

Commencement ceremonies began Saturday and will continue through Wednesday for Pinellas County’s traditional public high schools, with most of them scheduled for Tropicana Field. Here are some of the students who will appear on stage and speak to their fellow graduates:

Boca Ciega High

Valedictorian

Britney Meza, 18

GPA: 4.69

College: University of South Florida

Major: Undecided

Salutatorian

Thomas Tran

Thomas Tran
Thomas Tran [ Pinellas County Schools ]

GPA: 4.68

College: University of Florida

• • •

Clearwater High

Valedictorian

Kayla Burdett, 17

Kayla Burdett
Kayla Burdett [ Courtesy of Kayla Burdett ]

GPA: 4.77

Parents: Jennifer Gelwick, Bryan Burdett and Cody Gelwick

College: University of Florida

Major: Pharmacy preprofessional

Salutatorian

Katelyn Spence, 18

Katelyn Spence
Katelyn Spence [ Courtesy of Katelyn Spence ]

GPA: 4.76

Parents: Jennifer and Scott Spence

College: University of Florida

Major: Legal psychiatry

• • •

Countryside High

Valedictorian

Grace Carmen, 18

Grace Carmen
Grace Carmen [ Courtesy of Grace Carmen ]

GPA: 4.75

Parents: John and Allison Carmen

College: University of Florida

Major: Behavioral or neuro psychology

Salutatorian

Kayla Tywoniuk, 17

Kayla Tywoniuk
Kayla Tywoniuk [ Courtesy of Kayla Tywoniuk ]
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GPA: 4.72

Parent: Miroslaw Tywoniuk

College: University of Florida

Major: Biomedical engineering

• • •

Dunedin High

Valedictorian

Olivia Rosenbaum, 18

Olivia Rosenbaum
Olivia Rosenbaum [ Pinellas County Schools ]

GPA: 4.60

Parents: Doug and Claudia Rosenbaum

College: University of South Florida

Major: Communication

Salutatorian

Connor Martin, 18

Connor Martin
Connor Martin [ Pinellas County Schools ]

GPA: 4.55

Parents: Kristin and Jay Martin

College: University of Florida

Major: Aerospace engineering

• • •

East Lake High

Valedictorian

Patrick Hanrahan, 18

Patrick Hanrahan
Patrick Hanrahan [ Courtesy of Patrick Hanrahan ]

GPA: 4.80

Parents: David and Stacey Hanrahan

College: University of Florida

Major: Computer science, business

Salutatorian

Zachary Zeng, 18

Zachary Zeng
Zachary Zeng [ Courtesy of Zachary Zeng ]

GPA: 4.79

Parents: Alan Zeng and Estella Yin

College: University of Florida

Major: Computer science

• • •

Engineering Academy at East Lake High

Valedictorian

Devan Arora, 17

Devan Arora
Devan Arora [ Courtesy of Devan Arora ]

GPA: 4.80

Parents: Archana and Ajay Arora

College: Georgia Institute of Technology

Salutatorian

Lily Ramirez, 18

Lily Ramirez
Lily Ramirez [ Courtesy of Lily Ramirez ]

GPA: 4.77

Parents: Arnold and Deniece Ramirez

College: University of Florida

Major: Biology

• • •

Gibbs High

Valedictorian

Hannah Auer, 18

Hannah Auer
Hannah Auer [ Courtesy of Hannah Auer ]

GPA: 4.51

Parents: Robert and Jennifer Auer

College: Belmont University

Major: Music performance

Salutatorian

Jadyn Glueck, 18

Jadyn Glueck
Jadyn Glueck [ Courtesy of Jadyn Glueck ]

GPA: 4.49

Parents: Dehra Harris and Dane Glueck

College: Florida State University

Major: Public policy and business management

• • •

Hollins High

Valedictorian

Alexis Winter, 18

Alexis Winter
Alexis Winter [ Courtesy of Alexis Winter ]

GPA: 4.77

Parents: Jennifer and Michael Winter

College: University of Florida

Major: Psychology

Salutatorian

Ada Lau, 18

Ada Lau
Ada Lau [ Courtesy of Ada Lau ]

GPA: 4.70

Parent: Huong Vi

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biology

• • •

Lakewood High

Valedictorian

Alex Adams, 18

Alex Adams
Alex Adams [ Courtesy of Alex Adams ]

GPA: 4.54

Parents: Sabrina and Alex Adams

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biology

Salutatorian

Bella Croteau, 18

Bella Croteau
Bella Croteau [ Courtesy of Bella Croteau ]

GPA: 4.35

Parents: Delora and Jonathan Croteau

College: New College of Florida

Major: Undecided

• • •

Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High

Valedictorian

Hayley Mccormack

Hayley Mccormack
Hayley Mccormack [ Pinellas County Schools ]

GPA: 4.57

College: Northwestern University

Salutatorian

Ian Navales, 18

Ian Navales
Ian Navales [ Courtesy of Ian Navales ]

GPA: 4.56

Parent: Christina Navales

College: Georgia Institute of Technology

Major: Mechanical engineering

• • •

Largo High

Valedictorian

Dayanara Gallardo-Castro, 18

Dayanara Gallardo-Castro
Dayanara Gallardo-Castro [ Courtesy of Dayanara Gallardo-Castro ]

GPA: 4.50

Parents: Martha Castro and Jesus Gallardo

College: Florida Atlantic University

Major: Bachelor of science in nursing

Salutatorian

Aileena Nguyen, 17

Aileena Nguyen
Aileena Nguyen [ Courtesy of Aileena Nguyen ]

GPA: 4.49

Parents: Andy and Vivian Nguyen

College: University of Central Florida

Major: Forensic science

• • •

International Baccalaureate program at Largo High

Valedictorian

Elise Tong, 18

Elise Tong
Elise Tong [ Courtesy of Elise Tong ]

GPA: 4.78

Parents: Zhen and Ying Tong

College: Dartmouth College

Major: Biological sciences

Salutatorian

Peyton Marcotte, 18

Peyton Marcotte
Peyton Marcotte [ Courtesy of Peyton Marcotte ]

GPA: 4.77

Parents: Anthony and Sandra Marcotte

College: Cornell University

Major: Engineering

• • •

Northeast High

Valedictorian

Austin White, 18

Austin White
Austin White [ Courtesy of William White ]

GPA: 4.62

Parents: William and Heidi White

College: University of North Florida

Major: Communications and marketing

Salutatorian

Peyton Paulson, 18

Peyton Paulson
Peyton Paulson [ Courtesy of Tabitha Paulson Jones ]

GPA: 4.57

Parents: Tabitha Paulson Jones and Eric Smith

College: U.S. Military Academy West Point

Major: International affairs

• • •

Osceola Fundamental High

Valedictorian

Gracie Bane, 18

Gracie Bane
Gracie Bane [ Courtesy of Gracie Bane ]

GPA: 4.76

Parents: Frank Bane and Christina Kovacs-Bane

College: University of Florida

Major: Biomedical engineering

Salutatorian

Gabija Beinaraviciute, 18

Gabija Beinaraviciute
Gabija Beinaraviciute [ Courtesy of Gabija Beinaraviciute ]

GPA: 4.75

Parents: Ausra and Andrius Abromavicius

College: University of Florida

Major: Health sciences

• • •

Palm Harbor University High

Valedictorian

Grayson Black, 18

Grayson Black
Grayson Black [ Courtesy of Grayson Black ]

GPA: 4.65

Parents: Tamara and Robert Black

College: Oberlin College

Major: Biology

Salutatorian

Alexis Cameron, 17

Alexis Cameron
Alexis Cameron [ Courtesy of Alexis Cameron ]

GPA: 4.60

Parents: Lori and John Cameron

College: University of Central Florida

Major: Aerospace engineering

• • •

International Baccalaureate program at Palm Harbor University High

Co-Valedictorian

Mahika Bekkem, 18

Mahika Bekkem
Mahika Bekkem [ Courtesy of Mahika Bekkem ]

GPA: 4.7241

Parents: Ravinder Bekkem and Smitha Mekala

College: Indiana University

Major: Finance and business analytics

Co-Valedictorian

Thomas Brown, 17

Thomas Brown
Thomas Brown [ Courtesy of Thomas Brown ]

GPA: 4.7241

Parents: William and Annissa Brown

College: University of Florida

Major: Materials science and engineering

Co-Valedictorian

Aditya Patel, 17

Aditya Patel
Aditya Patel [ Courtesy of Aditya Patel ]

GPA: 4.7241

Parents: Divyang and Varsha Patel

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Salutatorian

Lucas Weaver, 18

Lucas Weaver
Lucas Weaver [ Courtesy of Lucas Weaver ]

GPA: 4.7222

Parent: Suzanne Weaver

College: University of Florida

Major: Biology

• • •

Pinellas Park High

Valedictorian

Leonel Resendiz, 18

Leonel Resendiz
Leonel Resendiz [ Pinellas County Schools ]

GPA: 4.57

Parents: Margarita Rafael and Leonardo Resendiz

College: University of Florida

Major: Mechanical engineering

Salutatorian

Aaron Booth, 17

Aaron Booth
Aaron Booth [ Courtesy of Aaron Booth ]

GPA: 4.52

Parents: Brandi and Mark Booth

College: Undecided

Major: Undecided

• • •

Richard O. Jacobson Technical High

Valedictorian

Aidan Lauser, 18

Aidan Lauser
Aidan Lauser [ Courtesy of Aidan Lauser ]

GPA: 4.52

Parents: John and Valerie Lauser

College: University of South Florida

Major: Computer science

Salutatorian

Christian Duggan, 18

Christian Duggan
Christian Duggan [ Pinellas County Schools ]

GPA: 4.44

Parents: Joe and Nancy Duggan

College: University of Florida

Major: Mechanical engineering and computer science

• • •

Seminole High

Valedictorian

Jaye Rice, 18

Jaye Rice
Jaye Rice [ Courtesy of Jaye Rice ]

GPA: 4.74

Parents: Jodi and John Rice

College: University of Central Florida

Major: Aerospace engineering

Salutatorian

Mekayla Trudgen, 17

Mekayla Trudgen
Mekayla Trudgen [ Courtesy of Mekayla Trudgen ]

GPA: 4.69

Parents: Claudette Hicks and Steffen Trudgen

College: University of South Florida

Major: Cell and molecular biology

• • •

St. Petersburg High

Valedictorian

Anna Cubito, 18

Anna Cubito
Anna Cubito [ Courtesy of Anna Cubito ]

GPA: 4.65

Parents: Jennifer and David Cubito

College: University of Florida

Major: Biology

Salutatorian

Ava Stoller, 18

Ava Stoller
Ava Stoller [ Courtesy of Ava Stoller ]

GPA: 4.62

Parents: Lori and Brad Stoller

College: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Major: Undecided

• • •

International Baccalaureate program at St. Petersburg High

Co-Valedictorian

Caroline Fuss, 18

Caroline Fuss
Caroline Fuss [ Courtesy of Caroline Fuss ]

GPA: 4.67

Parents: Mac and Lisa Fuss

College: University of Florida

Major: Public health

Co-Valedictorian

Payton Ratkiewicz, 18

Payton Ratkiewicz
Payton Ratkiewicz [ Courtesy of Payton Ratkiewicz ]

GPA: 4.67

Parents: Tracy and Robert Ratkiewicz

College: University of Florida

Major: Sociology

Co-Valedictorian

Lara Tyranski, 17

Lara Tyranski
Lara Tyranski [ Courtesy of Lara Tyranski ]

GPA: 4.67

Parents: Tanja and Gaet Tyranski

College: Washington University in St. Louis

Major: Mechanical engineering

Co-Salutatorian

Carter Curtis, 18

Carter Curtis
Carter Curtis [ Courtesy of Carter Curtis ]

GPA: 4.63

Parents: Jessica and Spencer Curtis

College: Florida Atlantic University

Major: Electrical engineering

Co-Salutatorian

Sidney Moyer, 18

Sidney Moyer
Sidney Moyer [ Courtesy of Sidney Moyer ]

GPA: 4.63

Parents: Alissa and Jason Moyer

College: Brown University

Major: Engineering and physics

• • •

Tarpon Springs High

Valedictorian

Georgios Glynatsis, 17

Georgios Glynatsis
Georgios Glynatsis [ Courtesy of Georgios Glynatsis ]

GPA: 4.86

Parents: Maria and Efstathios Glynatsis

College: University of Florida

Major: Medical physics

Salutatorian

Drake Shannon-Sonderman, 18

Drake Shannon-Sonderman
Drake Shannon-Sonderman [ Courtesy of Drake Shannon-Sonderman ]

GPA: 4.67

Parents: Lynn Shannon-Sonderman and Michael Sonderman

College: University of Central Florida

Major: Computer science

• • •

St. Petersburg Collegiate High - Gibbs campus

Valedictorian

Mia Markell, 18

Mia Markell
Mia Markell [ Courtesy of Mia Markell ]

GPA: 4.78

Parents: Anna and David Markell

College: University of Florida

Major: Neuroscience/psychology

Salutatorian

Joshua Roberts, 18

Joshua Roberts
Joshua Roberts [ Courtesy of Joshua Roberts ]

GPA: 4.75

Parents: Mark and Stephanie Roberts

College: University of Florida

Major: Aeronautical engineering

• • •

St. Petersburg Collegiate High - North Pinellas

Valedictorian

Mia Straley, 18

Mia Straley
Mia Straley [ Courtesy of Mia Straley ]

GPA: 4.68

Parents: Mark and Xiang Straley

College: University of Florida

Major: Applied physiology and kinesiology

Salutatorian

Grace Johnson, 18

Grace Johnson
Grace Johnson [ Courtesy of Grace Johnson ]

GPA: 4.62

Parents: David and Tracy Johnson

College: University of Florida

Major: Nursing

• • •

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