Hillsborough public schools celebrate 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians

The Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top graduates continues this week with a look at Hillsborough County. Commencement ceremonies for traditional public high schools begin Wednesday and continue through most of next week at the Florida State Fairgrounds, according to the district’s schedule.

Here are some of the students who will be highlighted:

Alonso High

Valedictorian

Eryn Klaus

GPA: 7.36

Parents: Eric and Jennifer Klaus

College: University of Florida

Major: Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience

Salutatorian

Devin Hurst

GPA: 7.04

Parents: David and Stacy Hurst

College: West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Major: Mechanical engineering

Armwood High

Valedictorian

Lex Estevez

GPA: 7.15

Parents: Edwin and Anjari Estevez

College: University of South Florida

Major: Studio art

Salutatorian

Daisy Cerro-Tepetate

GPA: 6.41

Parents: Guadalupe Cerro and Veronica Tepetate

College: University of South Florida

Major: International business

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Collegiate Academy at Armwood High

Valedictorian

Logan Curtin

GPA: 8.91

Parents: Jason and Ashley Curtin

College: University of Florida

Major: Sports management, creative writing

Salutatorian

Layla Coffey

GPA: 8.17

Parents: Peter and Suzanne Coffey

College: Florida Institute of Technology

Major: Computer science (concentration: cyber operations, computer engineering)

Blake High

Valedictorian

Bradley Gober

GPA: 6.73

Parents: Michelle and Michael Devereaux

College: Washington University in St. Louis

Major: Political science (pre-law)

Salutatorian

Nelson Vazquez

GPA: 5.59

Parents: Nelson Vazquez and Wendy Gutierrez

College: University of South Florida or Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Major: Software engineering

Blake High Performing and Visual Arts Magnet

Valedictorian

Andrew Foster

GPA: 7.52

Parents: John T. and Sandi K. Foster

College: Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester or the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University

Major: Horn performance, chemical engineering.

Salutatorian

Gabriella Zumbano

GPA: 6.94

Parents: Carl R. Zumbano and Colleen P. Tenbroeck

College: Mount Holyoke College or Hampshire College

Major: Theater, history

Bloomingdale High

Valedictorian

Jacob Delikat

GPA: 10.12

Parents: Jemy and Terrence Delikat

College: University of South Florida

Major: Electrical engineering

Salutatorian

Alexa Brown

GPA: 9.52

Parents: Joseph Brown III and Elizabeth Brown

College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Major: Chemical engineering

Brandon High

Valedictorian

Boglarka Csanadi

GPA: 8.00

Parents: Eva Gulyas Csanadi and Miklos Csanadi

College: University of Florida

Major: Computer science

Salutatorian

Daven Mejica

GPA: 6.94

Parents: Christian and Rocelyn Mejica

College: University of South Florida

Major: Medical biology

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High

Valedictorian

Khushi Mathur

GPA: 9.24

Parents: Sandip and Soni Mathur

College: University of Florida

Major: Business administration and management

Salutatorian

Anjalee Parbhoo

GPA: 9.00

Parents: Sejal and Jateen Parbhoo

College: University of South Florida

Major: Psychology

Chamberlain High

Valedictorian

Kaysar Srayaldin

GPA: 6.82

Parents: Ghassan Srayaldin and Wafaa Ghannam

College: Princeton University

Major: Computer science, finance.

Salutatorian

Ariel C. David

GPA: 6.04

Parents: Harry David and Madlina Ezekias

College: Hillsborough Community College

Major: Computer science

Durant High

Valedictorian

Mollie Usher

GPA: 8.74

Parents: Gretchen Hoke and David Usher

College: University of Florida

Major: Pre-med

Salutatorian

Caleb Tubaugh

GPA: 7.28

Parents: Shawn and Jeff Tubaugh

College: Florida Polytechnic University

Major: Computer engineering

East Bay High

Valedictorian

Akina-Naomi Kennedy

GPA: 6.92

Parents: Fritz Kennedy and Carolyn Wilson-Kennedy

College: Rollins College

Major: Music

Salutatorian

Haley Whitzel

GPA: 6.91

Parents: Trisha and Raymond Whitzel

College: University of South Florida

Major: Nursing

Freedom High

Valedictorian

Sofia Murrin

GPA: 8.22

Parents: Patrick and Carmela Murrin

College: University of Notre Dame

Major: Biochemistry and finance

Salutatorian

Mary Sutton

GPA: 8.03

Parents: Steven and Danielle Sutton

College: University of Virginia

Major: Nursing

Gaither High

Co-Valedictorian

Sara Melo Fernandez

GPA: 7.36

Parents: Martha and Walter Fernandez

College: Duke University

Major: Psychology

Co-Valedictorian

Michelle Poveda

GPA: 7.36

Parents: Rubiela Poveda and Miguel Quiroga

College: University of South Florida

Major: Psychology and criminology

Hillsborough High

Valedictorian

Ivan Gonzalez

GPA: 6.4

Parents: Ayolbi Alvarez, Lazaro Alvarez and Pedro Gonzalez

College: University of South Florida

Salutatorian

Nathan Olson

GPA: 6.0

Parents: Scott and Monica Olson

College: University of South Florida

International Baccalaureate program at Hillsborough High

Valedictorian

Ashar Farrukh

GPA: 8.24

Parents: Sadia Farrukh and Farrukh Asghar

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Salutatorian

Joshua Selvan

GPA: 7.81

Parents: Gurusamy Tamil-Selvan and Sarulatha Selvan

College: University of South Florida

Hillsborough Virtual School

Valedictorian

Tristin House

GPA: 6.92

Parent: Kimberly Julien

College: University of Florida

Major: Political science, English (pre-law)

Salutatorian

Mackenzie McDonald

GPA: 6.72

Parents: John and Traci McDonald

College: Florida Gulf Coast University

Major: Psychology

Jefferson High

Valedictorian

Isabel Pena

GPA: 5.76

Parents: Orlando and Elizabeth Pena

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biology

Salutatorian

Maria Ramirez Urgell

GPA: 5.65

Parents: Roger Ramirez and Monica Urgell

College: Hillsborough Community College, then USF

Major: Nursing

Jefferson High Leadership Academy

Valedictorian

Melanie Hernandez

GPA: 7.27

Parents: Miguel Hernandez and Judith Troncoso

College: Florida State University

Major: Global and international affairs

Salutatorian

Zainab Onafowokan

GPA: 6.75

Parents: Fasasi and Alirat Apata

College: University of Florida

Major: Business and finance (pre-law)

King High

Valedictorian

Anthony Chavez Zuniga

GPA: 6.01

Parents: Bryan Chavez Ramos and Tania Chavez

College: University of South Florida

Major: Business management

Salutatorian

Nicolas Castellano

GPA: 5.95

Parents: Vince and Amy Dippolito

College: University of South Florida

Major: Entrepreneurship

International Baccalaureate program at King High

Valedictorian

Shiva Ranganathan

GPA: 9.07

Parents: Nagarajan and Radhika Ranganathan

College: Georgetown University

Major: Health care administration

Salutatorian

Ahbab Abeer

GPA: 8.92

Parents: Md. Abul Khair and Afroja Begum

College: Duke University

Major: Computer science

Lennard High

Valedictorian

Jadyn Delgado

GPA: 6.66

Parents: Jeremiah and Noelle Delgado

College: Florida State University

Major: Meteorology

Salutatorian

Alejandra Lopez-Perez

GPA: 6.49

Parents: Salvador Lopez-Villa and Mayra Perez

College: University of South Florida

Major: Engineering

Collegiate Academy at Lennard High

Valedictorian

Belinda Solis

GPA: 8.19

Parents: Juan and Maria Solis

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences, public health

Salutatorian

Makenzie Estabrook

GPA: 8.04

Parents: Adam and Carissa Estabrook

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Leto High

Valedictorian

Leidis Fuentes Morlote

GPA: 7.62

Parents: Jose Sotto Hermosilla, Osmeris Fuentes and Maryvi Morlote Hernandez

College: Undecided

Major: Civil engineering/architectural design

Salutatorian

Anthony Menendez

GPA: 6.30

Parents: Jose Menendez and Maria Perez

College: University of Florida

Major: Biology

Collegiate Academy at Leto High

Valedictorian

Ayana Febles

GPA: 8.68

Parents: Kenneth Febles and Elaine Gomez

College: University of Florida

Major: Microbiology and cell science, neuroscience

Salutatorian

Ian Liwosz

GPA: 7.8

Parents: Leonard and Michelle Liwosz

College: University of Florida

Major: Mathematics, education

Middleton High

Valedictorian

Shamya Barker

GPA: 4.95

Parents: Arthur Hall and Sylvia Darby

College: South Carolina State

Salutatorian

Delilah Tolbert

GPA: 4.52

Parents: Demetrious Tolbert and Lakisha Smith-Tolbert

College: Florida A&M University

Middleton High STEM magnet

Valedictorian

Bhavya Bansal

GPA: 11.30

Parents: Suneet Bansal and Ruchi Gupta

College: Case Western University

Salutatorian

Pranav Kulkarni

GPA: 10.98

Parents: Venuvenkat and Bhagyashree Kulkarni

College: University of Florida

Newsome High

Valedictorian

Erik Dyer

GPA: 11.80

Parents: Anthony and Dawn Dyer

College: Princeton University or Stanford University

Major: Engineering

Salutatorian

Dacoda Mavarez

GPA: 9.28

Parent: Leslie Scarandino

College: University of Florida

Major: Pre-med

Dr. Kiran C. Patel High

Valedictorian

Jasmine Mazard-Larry

GPA: 8.07

Parents: Larry Lavaris and Nidta Mazard

College: University of Notre Dame

Major: Biology

Salutatorian

Ava Tran

GPA: 6.81

Parents: Raymond Tran and Gina Dang

College: University of South Florida

Major: Business, cyber security concentration

Plant High

Valedictorian

Katherine Bentley

GPA: 9.20

Parents: Lee and Weatherly Bentley

College: Princeton University

Major: Public policy

Salutatorian

Elliot Francolla

GPA: 8.92

Parents: John and Stacy Francolla

College: University of Oxford

Major: History and economics

Plant City High

Valedictorian

Tina Kumar

GPA: 11.00

Parents: Daljit Kumar and Balbir Kaur

College: University of South Florida

Salutatorian

Naydelin Trejo

GPA: 8.96

Parents: Julio Trejo and Enriqueta Santibanez

College: University of Florida

Riverview High

Valedictorian

Daniel Rojas

GPA: 8.25

Parents: Solie Rojas and Karloren Guzman

College: University of Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Salutatorian

Zoe Myers

GPA: 7.86

Parent: Laura Myers

College: Florida Atlantic University

Major: Biochemistry and neuroscience

Robinson High

Valedictorian

Isabella Cuevas

GPA: 6.45

Parents: Osvaldo and Samantha Cuevas

College: University of Central Florida

Major: Political science

Salutatorian

Russell Vifquain

GPA: 6.42

Parents: Steven and Anamaria Vifquain

College: Florida State University

Major: Data science and business

International Baccalaureate program at Robinson High

Valedictorian

Rahul Ranjithkumar

GPA: 8.02

Parents: Velu and Shakeela Ranjithkumar

College: University of Florida

Salutatorian

Praveen Prabaharan

GPA: 8.00

Parents: Nagulasingaratnam and Vijitha Prabaharan

College: University of Florida or Georgia Tech

Major: Mechanical engineering

Sickles High

Valedictorian

Pope Tatum

GPA: 8.34

Parents: Shaun and Dana Pope

College: University of Florida

Major: Architecture

Salutatorian

Aishwarya Kandukuru

GPA: 8.12

Parents: Srinivasul and Rajasree Kandukuru

College: University of Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Spoto High

Valedictorian

Andy Lin

GPA: 6.07

Parents: Yao Lin and Ying Chen

College: Tallahassee Community College, then FSU

Major: Biological science

Salutatorian

Jayden Ehrhart

GPA: 5.79

Parents: Kara and Brian Ehrhart

College: University of North Florida

Major: Biomedical science

Collegiate Academy at Spoto High

Valedictorian

Lilliana Denick

GPA: 7.60

Parent: Kimberly Durham

College: University of South Florida

Major: Pre-med

Salutatorian

Nevaeh Johnson

GPA: 7.52

Parent: Britta Johnson

College: Florida International University

Major: Marine biology

Steinbrenner High

Valedictorian

Kartikeye Gupta

GPA: 8.76

Parents: Gaurav and Pragati Kumar

College: University of California, Berkeley

Major: Data science

Salutatorian

Fadi Gouda

GPA: 8.04

Parents: Ihab Abdelhalim and Germin Mosaad

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Strawberry Crest High

Valedictorian

Amelia Gomez

GPA: 7.62

Parents: Mario and Kari Gomez

College: University of Central Florida

Major: Film production, dance

Salutatorian

Alyssa Hudson

GPA: 7.58

Parents: James and Tamara Hudson

College: University of South Florida

Major: ASL interpreting, deaf studies

International Baccalaureate program at Strawberry Crest High

Valedictorian

Akhil Challa

GPA: 8.78

Parent: Subbaraya Challa and Ratina Durvasula

College: University of Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

Salutatorian

Jay Chaplot

GPA: 8.76

Parents: Prakash and Simmy Chaplot

College: Georgia Institute of Technology

Major: Computer science

Sumner High

Valedictorian

Chi Mai

GPA: 7.48

Parents: Giao Trinh and Anh Mai

College: University of Florida

Major: Public health

Salutatorian

Jackson Hopkins

GPA: 7.42

Parents: Jimmy and Joy Calixte, James Hopkins

College: Florida A&M University

Tampa Bay Technical High

Valedictorian

Pavan Moturi

GPA: 6.76

Parents: Satyarayana and Chaitanya Moturi

College: University of South Florida

Major: Information technology

Salutatorian

George Danso

GPA: 6.21

Parent: Maria Sequeira

College: University of South Florida

Major: Information technology

Tampa Bay Technical High Academy of Health Professions

Valedictorian

Arsema Denber

GPA: 8.2429

Parents: Genet Aderia and Fekadu Lalgo

College: University of Florida or USC

Major: Psychology (pre-med)

Salutatorian

Isabelle McNamara

GPA: 8.2400

Parents: Lauren and Robert McNamara

College: University of Florida

Major: Microbiology, math

Tampa Bay Technical High Academy of Architecture

Valedictorian

Celina Torres-Rios

GPA: 7.74

Parents: Patricia Rios and Herrison Torres-Ruiz

College: Kansas State University

Major: Architectural engineering

Salutatorian

Akeel Hakim

GPA: 6.64

Parents: Waleed and Meira Hakim

College: University of Florida

Major: Mechanical engineering

Wharton High

Valedictorian

David Ascano

GPA: 7.5844

Parents: Felipe and Yaneisy Ascano

College: University of Florida

Major: Computer engineering or pre-dental

Salutatorian

Sammy Gillespie

GPA: 7.5775

Parents: Brian and Aicha Gillespie

College: Wharton College of Business at the University of Pennsylvania

Major: Finance and management

• • •

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