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Meet the top students for 2023 at Hillsborough private schools

A look at valedictorians and salutatorians from 13 campuses across the county.
Graduates celebrate in front of friends and family after a commencement ceremony at Carrollwood Day School.
Graduates celebrate in front of friends and family after a commencement ceremony at Carrollwood Day School. [ Times (2013) ]
Published May 23

Private schools in Hillsborough County are the focus as the Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top students continues this week. Here’s a look at names and faces leading the Class of 2023.

Related: Hillsborough public schools celebrate 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians

Academy of the Holy Names

Valedictorian

Madison Kwo, 18

Madison Kwo
Madison Kwo [ Courtesy of Academy of the Holy Names ]

Parents: Daisy and Haw Kwo

College: Carnegie Mellon University

Major: Chemistry (biochemistry track)

Salutatorian

Katherine Petitt, 18

Katherine Petitt
Katherine Petitt [ Courtesy of Academy of the Holy Names ]

Parents: Amee and Richard Petitt

College: Johns Hopkins University

Major: Chemistry (pre-med)

• • •

Bayshore Christian School

Valedictorian

Sydney Walker, 17

Sydney Walker
Sydney Walker [ Courtesy of Sydney Walker ]

GPA: 5.8

Parent: Lisa Walker

College: Florida State University

Major: Nursing

Salutatorian

Tyana Tibby, 18

Tyana Tibby
Tyana Tibby [ Courtesy of Tyana Tibby ]

GPA: 5.4

Parent: Tamara-Kay Tibby

College: Florida International University

Major: Photography and marketing

• • •

Brandon Academy

Valedictorian

Jeffrey Arthur Bergman, 18

Jeffrey Arthur Bergman
Jeffrey Arthur Bergman [ Courtesy of Brandon Academy ]
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GPA: 4.34

Parents: Carl and Nancy Bergman

College: Undecided

Salutatorian

Nazaru Jahmai-Steele, 18

Nazaru Jahmai-Steele
Nazaru Jahmai-Steele [ Courtesy of Brandon Academy ]

GPA: 4.21

Parents: Paul Steele and Grace Bartlett

College: Undecided

• • •

Cambridge Christian School

Valedictorian

Selah Marie Martinez-Diehm, 17

Selah Marie Martinez-Diehm
Selah Marie Martinez-Diehm [ Courtesy of Cambridge Christian School ]

GPA: 4.77

Parents: Yvette and Eric Diehm

College: University of Florida

Major: Health sciences

Salutatorian

Joshua Wilson Willeke, 18

Joshua Wilson Willeke
Joshua Wilson Willeke [ Courtesy of Cambridge Christian School ]

GPA: 4.76

Parents: Traicey and Brian Willeke

College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Major: Engineering physics

• • •

Carrollwood Day School

Valedictorian

Carter Casey, 18

Carter Casey
Carter Casey [ Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School ]

Parents: Shawn and Kim Casey

College: Duke University

Major: Finance

Salutatorian

Hailee Spoor, 18

Hailee Spoor
Hailee Spoor [ Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School ]

Parents: Brad and Kristen Spoor

College: University of Florida

Major: English

• • •

Central Baptist Christian School

Valedictorian

Ethan Newell, 17

Ethan Newell
Ethan Newell [ Courtesy of Central Baptist Christian School ]

GPA: 4.3

Parents: David and Michelle Newell

College: Palm Beach Atlantic University

Major: Medicinal and biological chemistry (pharmacy concentration)

Salutatorian

Brittany Santillan, 18

Brittany Santillan
Brittany Santillan [ Courtesy of Central Baptist Christian School ]

GPA: 4.2

Parents: Alexander and Viviana Santillan

College: Undecided

Major: Pre-dental

• • •

Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High

Valedictorian

Jose Bello Sanchez, 18

Jose Bello Sanchez
Jose Bello Sanchez [ Courtesy of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High ]

GPA: 4.47

Parents: Jose and Maria Bello

College: New York University

Major: Film and television

Salutatorian

Christian Achecar, 18

Christian Achecar
Christian Achecar [ Courtesy of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High ]

GPA: 4.27

Parent: Maria Grosvenor

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biology

• • •

Grace Christian School (Valrico)

Valedictorian

Esther Lynne Winter, 18

Esther Lynne Winter
Esther Lynne Winter [ Courtesy of Grace Christian School ]

GPA: 4.40

Parents: Josiah and Katie Winter

College: University of South Florida

Major: Hospitality and tourism

Salutatorian

Kirsten Gabbryela Pabon, 17

Kirsten Gabbryela Pabon
Kirsten Gabbryela Pabon [ Courtesy of Grace Christian School ]

GPA: 4.32

Parents: Harry and Yamilet Pabon

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biology

• • •

Jesuit High

Valedictorian

Cameron Bailey, 18

Cameron Bailey
Cameron Bailey [ Courtesy of Jesuit High ]

GPA: 4.66

Parents: Michele and Kyle Bailey

College: University of Florida

Major: Business administration and management

Salutatorian

Christopher Tan, 18

Christopher Tan
Christopher Tan [ Courtesy of Jesuit High ]

GPA: 4.64

Parents: Susan Arianto-Tan and Iggy Tan

College: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical sciences

• • •

Keystone Prep High

Valedictorian

Lucas Giese, 18

Lucas Giese
Lucas Giese [ Courtesy of Keystone Prep ]

GPA: 3.91

Parents: Peter and Rebecca Giese

College: Undecided

Major: Undecided

Salutatorian

Edward Czyzewski, 17

Edward Czyzewski
Edward Czyzewski [ Courtesy of Keystone Prep ]

GPA: 3.72

Parents: Elisa and Thaddeus Czyzewski

College: Young Harris College

Major: Psychology

• • •

Seffner Christian Academy

Valedictorian

Lauren Ijewere, 17

Lauren Ijewere
Lauren Ijewere [ Courtesy of Seffner Christian Academy ]

GPA: 4.6

Parents: Francis and Lyra Ijewere

College: University of Florida

Major: Biochemistry

Salutatorian

Madison Grimsich, 18

Madison Grimsich
Madison Grimsich [ Courtesy of Seffner Christian Academy ]

GPA: 4.5

Parents: Timothy and Laura Grimsich

College: Purdue University

Major: Biology

• • •

Tampa Catholic High

Valedictorian

Isabel Melendez-Soto, 17

Isabel Melendez-Soto
Isabel Melendez-Soto [ Courtesy of Tampa Catholic High ]

GPA: 4.60

Parents: Yamira Soto Cebollero and Luis Melendez-Collazo

College: University of Florida

Major: Political science

Salutatorian

Catalina Frey, 18

Catalina Frey
Catalina Frey [ Courtesy of Tampa Catholic High ]

GPA: 4.58

Parents: Sabrina Frey and Christopher Frey Sr.

College: University of Florida

Major: Health science (pre-dental)

• • •

Tampa Preparatory School

Co-Valedictorian

Maximilian Borlongan, 17

Maximilian Borlongan
Maximilian Borlongan [ Courtesy of Tampa Preparatory School ]

Parents: Cesar Borlongan and Christine Stahl

College: Undecided

Major: Neuroscience (pre-med)

Co-Valedictorian

Walker Wilson, 18

Walker Wilson
Walker Wilson [ Courtesy of Tampa Preparatory School ]

Parents: John and Kimberly Wilson

College: Dartmouth College

Major: Ancient history and economics

• • •

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