Editor's note: In this second installment of a five-week salute to local valedictorians and salutatorians, we introduce students from Gibbs, Northeast, Osceola and Pinellas Park high schools. They have the highest grade point averages, but it doesn't stop there. Community service, extra activities and ambitious goals make them the Best of the Best for 2003.
By Times Staff Writer
Published May 7, 2003
GIBBS HIGH
VALEDICTORIAN: ALYSSA GRACE ALKHOWAITER
PLANS: To attend University of South Florida and major in music (voice performance)
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Vocalist for Pinellas County Center for the Arts Jazz Band, PCCA Women's Chorale, All State Women's Chorus, Disney Candlelight choir, Academic Team, Chess Club, Link Crew, cast member in PCCA's production of Les Miserables, graduation committee
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Cooking for families of sick children at Ronald McDonald House
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My grandmother Gladys Jury. In 1939, she was valedictorian of her graduating class. She endured so much hardship in her life and still came out victorious.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I have had discipline. Doing well in school is really only a matter of staying focused despite the distractions that come your way.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Although it's cliche to say it, 9/11 has been a tremendous hardship in my life. I am half Arabian. My father lives in Saudi Arabia. Directly prior to the attacks, we were in the process of getting him permanent residency in the United States; but after the tragedy, things came to a standstill. The process has dragged on for almost two years because it is now so much more difficult to get into this country. I have not seen him since April 2001, and this has been immensely difficult for my family and me.
PARENTS: Rebecca AlKhowaiter of Largo and Nasir AlKhowaiter of Saudi Arabia
Long before she fell in love with Verdi and Puccini, aspiring opera singer Alyssa AlKhowaiter began practicing her own version of the art form. According to her mother, she wandered around the house when she was 4 making noises that sounded a lot like arias.
"From the time I was a few years old, I was very responsive to music," said Alyssa, 18. "My mom tells me that when I was little, the only thing that would make me stop crying was a Whitney Houston tape."
She began formal voice training as a sixth-grader and learned to sing pop and jazz. She became attracted to opera after she was admitted to the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High, but she spent years trying to talk herself out of a music career.
"I thought I couldn't do music because it wasn't practical," she said. "This year I just decided to go for it and take my chances. I want to try to be happy more than I want to pursue money."
She plans to minor in something "useful" such as political science or journalism, just in case she doesn't realize her heart's desire. In the meantime, she'll keep her eyes open for opportunities to sing professionally and will pray for an invitation to work with an opera company.
Leaving home scares her a little, she said, because she has always been dependent on her family. She plans to take baby steps by spending a couple of years at the University of South Florida before transferring to the music conservatory at Eastman School in Rochester, N.Y., or New York University.
Besides launching a career as an opera singer, her biggest dream is that her father will be able to attend her college graduation. The fact that he won't be present for her high school graduation has been a tremendous disappointment.
"It has been very difficult not to fall into pessimism," she said, "but today I feel like I am handling the situation more gracefully than I did initially."
SALUTATORIAN: MARISA CALHOUN
PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida and major in music (voice performance)
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, All State Women's Chorus, Stetson Honors Clinic, Academic Team, Link Crew, Women's Chorale, Vocal Jazz, Mixed Ensemble, Senior Recital, Disney Candlelight choir, Les Miserables, district choral and solo-ensemble competition, Sunshine State Chorus, Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders, graduation committee
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Red Cross Youth Corps, meals at Ronald McDonald House, mission trip to Washington, D.C.
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My friend Sarah Lain. She never ceases to look on the bright side of things. I admire her ability to follow her heart and try things that may put her in new environments and situations. Her determined attitude, genuine love for others and strong faith in God are what make her a great person and someone I can always look up to.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Keeping a positive attitude, staying motivated and remembering that I don't have to be perfect. Also, my friends helped in keeping me positive and stress-free by being there when I needed a break and reminding me to be happy as long as I know I did my best.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: There was a period of time in high school when I let myself get caught up in comparing myself to other people, and it just pushed me into a state of negativity. It took me a while to learn to be happy with myself and be happy for others; but once I did, I felt so much more relaxed and satisfied. Everyone isn't going to be good at the same thing, and that's okay.
PARENTS: Lanny and Wes Calhoun of St. Petersburg
NORTHEAST HIGH
VALEDICTORIAN: DIANA NICOLE KOLMAN
PLANS: To attend the University of Central Florida; major undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta secretary, swim team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Friends of Strays volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My mother. I admire her so much for her sincerity and devotion. She is genuinely friendly to everyone and very optimistic. I know I can count on her to be there at any time. I know she would do anything for me. I also admire her for her strength. When my brother and I were old enough, she decided to start her career over. She is now a very successful financial adviser. I am very proud of her because she has gotten so far.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I am organized. I am by no means any kind of genius or anything; but because I always did all of my work on time, I was able to learn the material and get A's.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Getting sidetracked. I have learned to concentrate on what needs to get done, and then - and only then - I can do secondary things.
PARENTS: Sherrie Weller and Mark Kolman of St. Petersburg
Diana Kolman, 18, swears she never would have made it through her senior year without her daily planner. Juggling two part-time jobs, schoolwork, swimming and service commitments kept her on the move about 14 hours a day.
"Writing everything down was a necessity," she said. "When I was finished with something, I checked it off."
Complicating her schedule was her Venezuelan-born boyfriend's efforts to become a U.S. citizen. She began encouraging him to apply for residency when his visa was denied after Sept. 11. The couple will find out this week if his application has been approved.
She is undecided on a major, but is considering psychology or nutrition because she knows she wants to do something humanitarian.
"I want to do something to make a difference," she said. "You can see it in people's eyes when you've helped them."
She has a soft spot for cats as well as people. She cares for two at her father's house during the week and is responsible for two more at her mother's house, where she spends the weekends. When she has a place of her own, she'd like to have "about 20."
A strict vegetarian, she has a problem with people who give her grief about it.
"I don't believe in the exploitation of animals. It's just a decision I've made," she said. "But it's also a healthy way of life."
SALUTATORIAN: ROBERT DAVID ANGEL
PLANS: To attend the University of Florida; major undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, senior class vice president, varsity swim team captain, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hi-Y, Powderpuff cheerleader
COMMUNITY SERVICE: St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Juvenile Diabetes Association
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, for their support and for always pushing me to perform at my best
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: The strong moral values that I have upheld and my drive to aspire attain and surpass in everything I do.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Growing up
PARENTS: Nancy and David Angel of St. Petersburg
OSCEOLA HIGH
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: CAROLYN ANNE LAUTTENBACH
PLANS: To attend the University of Central Florida; major undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society vice president, Mu Alpha Theta, marching band drum major, concert band, varsity soccer captain
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Organized and performed in a band fundraising program, helped with band instruction at Osceola Middle School, beach cleanup
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: John Mayer is one of my role models. He's a great, young musician with a really unique sound. He gets to tour and travel, playing his music. He's doing exactly what I'm going to do, and I hope I can do it as well as he does.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I'm a quick learner. I understand the system and the work has always come easy. I knew exactly what I had to do, so I did it.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I've had a really difficult time convincing people that I know what I want. I've always been good at school, so everyone expected me to go to college and become a doctor or something. All I want to do is play my guitar. I want to be a rock star. Making my family and friends understand that is a difficulty I am still overcoming.
PARENTS: Peg and Jim Lauttenbach of Seminole
Carolyn Lauttenbach has always loved music. She enjoyed playing the trumpet in the school band. She thought the flute was pretty cool. But when the 18-year-old picked up a friend's guitar a year ago, she saw her future.
"It just sort of clicked," she said. "I got hooked within five minutes."
She talked her mom into buying her a secondhand acoustic guitar and started taking lessons. She wrote some songs, which she has performed for two live audiences, and has recorded a CD in her bedroom.
She has become "a girl singing her stories." The songs are about teenage love and heartbreak, and her frustration with people who don't think she's serious about her music.
Her current project is a song she plans to sing at graduation in lieu of a valedictorian speech. She knows it's a little unconventional, but she says being different has become her trademark.
She is confident she will find success in the music business, but she is committed to finishing a degree so she'll have something to fall back on "just in case." She is unconcerned about juggling college and music, and can't wait to spread her wings in a bigger city.
She is grateful to be leaving with her parents' blessing.
"It took them a while to believe me when I told them I wanted to be a rock star," she said. "They thought I was going through a phase. But they support me. They want to see me do what I want to do."
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: LAURIE FRANCES MOREAU
PLANS: To attend the University of Florida; major undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish National Honor Society parliamentarian, Spanish Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Warriors Against Crime, Club '03, varsity swim team captain
COMMUNITY SERVICE: National Honor Society math tutor, clerical volunteer at Fuguitt Elementary School, Toys for Tots, Huff and Puff Fitness Frolic
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Three-time Olympian Jenny Thompson because of her dedication and accomplishments in swimming.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Hard work and determination along with the support of my family.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Managing my time between two swim practices, school and homework each day
PARENTS: Patricia and Bill Moreau of Largo
Laurie Moreau, 18, spent a significant portion of the last two years in the water.
She rose at 4:15 a.m. five days a week and practiced swimming for a few hours before heading to school. She followed a 30-minute after-school break with three more hours of swim practice, dinner and a couple of hours of homework.
Timing became important to her, not only in the pool, but in her daily routine.
"I had to learn how to balance swimming and school and find out how much of each I had to do to be a success," she said. "I just took it day by day."
She reserved a portion of her time for mentoring her younger teammates.
"It was a good chance for me to motivate other people, to show them what they could become," she said. "It helped me get to know the younger swimmers and lead them in the right direction."
She broke several of her school's swim records early in her high school career, and then broke her own records this past year. She placed second in the 100-yard freestyle and third in the 200-yard freestyle in state competition. She also realized a cherished dream, earning a spot on the University of Florida swim team.
At times, even her closest friends questioned her sanity, but she she doesn't regret a minute of the time she spent on her sport.
"I love swimming. It's my life," she said. "It's just the best feeling when you touch the wall. You get out of the water and you feel so accomplished."
SALUTATORIAN: ERICA TUTSCHEK
PLANS: To attend the University of Florida and major in physics
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish National Honor Society president, Spanish Club president, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Warriors Against Crime, Club '03, varsity swim team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Hospice of the Florida Suncoast volunteer, tutor at Starkey Elementary School
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents. They hold equal parts that inspire my aspirations in life. From my father's hard work in his business to my mother's dedication toward my family's happiness, they have shaped me to be a dedicated and compassionate person.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I've accomplished all that I have with the support of my parents. They taught me my study habits and were a huge drive in my determination to succeed.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: After moving to Florida from New Jersey in seventh grade, it was hard to adapt to the new school system. I spent long hours on my homework with my father's help. I eventually caught up with the work and managed to excel in my classes. It was an experience that gave me great independence.
PARENTS: Patricia and Paul Tutschek of Largo
PINELLAS PARK HIGH
VALEDICTORIAN: MICHAEL D. GEHRING
PLANS: To attend the University of Florida and major in biomedical engineering
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society parliamentarian, Mu Alpha Theta, Law Honor Society, Florida Public Service Association president, Mock Trial Team, French Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, AWARE, Drama Club, Anona United Methodist Youth Foundation
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Organized projects for Florida Public Service Association including Halloween toy drive, St. Giles Food Pantry food drive and Festival of Trees project; National Honor Society blood drive; Cross Bayou Elementary School field day; Habitat for Humanity
HEROES OR ROLE MODELS: My heroes are the teachers who have given themselves to advocating the future. Without their commitment, I would not be able to claim any success.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I have succeeded in school because I always welcome academic challenges rather than settling for the path of least resistance.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: My most pronounced difficulty is balancing my academic, athletic, and work and volunteer schedules.
PARENTS: Jacki and Douglas Gehring of Largo
Michael Gehring would rather his classmates remember him as a well-rounded person who enjoyed life than as valedictorian. The 18-year-old, who said everything from academics to music and sports excites him, made it a point throughout his senior year to be involved in as many activities as possible.
"I took on more than I had in the past," he said. "I just wanted to challenge myself to see how much I could handle. I wanted to test my limits."
He added that he definitely reached his limit. Participating on the mock trial team stretched him academically. Baseball, softball and golf tested him physically. Writing and singing a rap song in a church talent show exercised his creative ability.
He thinks it was the performance aspect present in all his activities that motivated him and helped him to excel.
"Performing gives me a high that is not comparable to anything," he said. "It's totally unexplainable, that energy you can feel from people when you nail a song or do something well."
He credits his parents for grounding him and keeping him sane through a hectic year. He also thanks them for helping him financially so he could quit his part-time job and concentrate on school.
Now that the whirlwind of activity is winding down, Michael is beginning to realize the big change that lies ahead of him.
"It's starting to set in that you're not going to see these people you see every day in the halls," he said. "But I'm ready to move on. I'm ready for the next stage of my life."
SALUTATORIAN: ILIDA DZINIE
PLANS: To attend the University of Florida; major undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Clubs
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Project judge at Cross Bayou Elementary School, BMX track volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents. They are strong, positive role models who always know what is best for me. When things are at their worst, they always manage to make the best out of the situation.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I have a lot of ambition to succeed in life. I want to make my family proud of me.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: About 10 years ago, I had to move from Bosnia and come to Florida. I didn't speak English and everything was new to me. It was almost like starting life all over again. I had to adapt to things I wasn't accustomed to.
