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.
Academy of the Holy Names
Valedictorian
Madison Kwo, 18
Parents: Daisy and Haw Kwo
College: Carnegie Mellon University
Major: Chemistry (biochemistry track)
Salutatorian
Katherine Petitt, 18
Parents: Amee and Richard Petitt
College: Johns Hopkins University
Major: Chemistry (pre-med)
Bayshore Christian School
Valedictorian
Sydney Walker, 17
GPA: 5.8
Parent: Lisa Walker
College: Florida State University
Major: Nursing
Salutatorian
Tyana Tibby, 18
GPA: 5.4
Parent: Tamara-Kay Tibby
College: Florida International University
Major: Photography and marketing
Brandon Academy
Valedictorian
Jeffrey Arthur Bergman, 18
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Explore all your optionsGPA: 4.34
Parents: Carl and Nancy Bergman
College: Undecided
Salutatorian
Nazaru Jahmai-Steele, 18
GPA: 4.21
Parents: Paul Steele and Grace Bartlett
College: Undecided
Cambridge Christian School
Valedictorian
Selah Marie Martinez-Diehm, 17
GPA: 4.77
Parents: Yvette and Eric Diehm
College: University of Florida
Major: Health sciences
Salutatorian
Joshua Wilson Willeke, 18
GPA: 4.76
Parents: Traicey and Brian Willeke
College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering physics
Carrollwood Day School
Valedictorian
Carter Casey, 18
Parents: Shawn and Kim Casey
College: Duke University
Major: Finance
Salutatorian
Hailee Spoor, 18
Parents: Brad and Kristen Spoor
College: University of Florida
Major: English
Central Baptist Christian School
Valedictorian
Ethan Newell, 17
GPA: 4.3
Parents: David and Michelle Newell
College: Palm Beach Atlantic University
Major: Medicinal and biological chemistry (pharmacy concentration)
Salutatorian
Brittany Santillan, 18
GPA: 4.2
Parents: Alexander and Viviana Santillan
College: Undecided
Major: Pre-dental
Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High
Valedictorian
Jose Bello Sanchez, 18
GPA: 4.47
Parents: Jose and Maria Bello
College: New York University
Major: Film and television
Salutatorian
Christian Achecar, 18
GPA: 4.27
Parent: Maria Grosvenor
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biology
Grace Christian School (Valrico)
Valedictorian
Esther Lynne Winter, 18
GPA: 4.40
Parents: Josiah and Katie Winter
College: University of South Florida
Major: Hospitality and tourism
Salutatorian
Kirsten Gabbryela Pabon, 17
GPA: 4.32
Parents: Harry and Yamilet Pabon
College: University of South Florida
Major: Biology
Jesuit High
Valedictorian
Cameron Bailey, 18
GPA: 4.66
Parents: Michele and Kyle Bailey
College: University of Florida
Major: Business administration and management
Salutatorian
Christopher Tan, 18
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
GPA: 3.91
Parents: Peter and Rebecca Giese
College: Undecided
Major: Undecided
Salutatorian
Edward Czyzewski, 17
GPA: 3.72
Parents: Elisa and Thaddeus Czyzewski
College: Young Harris College
Major: Psychology
Seffner Christian Academy
Valedictorian
Lauren Ijewere, 17
GPA: 4.6
Parents: Francis and Lyra Ijewere
College: University of Florida
Major: Biochemistry
Salutatorian
Madison Grimsich, 18
GPA: 4.5
Parents: Timothy and Laura Grimsich
College: Purdue University
Major: Biology
Tampa Catholic High
Valedictorian
Isabel Melendez-Soto, 17
GPA: 4.60
Parents: Yamira Soto Cebollero and Luis Melendez-Collazo
College: University of Florida
Major: Political science
Salutatorian
Catalina Frey, 18
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
Parents: Cesar Borlongan and Christine Stahl
College: Undecided
Major: Neuroscience (pre-med)
Co-Valedictorian
Walker Wilson, 18
Parents: John and Kimberly Wilson
College: Dartmouth College
Major: Ancient history and economics
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