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HUDSON - Hudson High School's 292 graduates, decked out in red gowns, entered the school's gym in boy-girl pairs Friday evening. The girls held gold carnations.
"A world of endless possibilities is at your fingertips," valedictorian Pamela Giordano told them. "Don't be afraid to go out there and grab it."
Giordano and the school's second-highest academic achiever, salutatorian Tarah Marinelli, will have their possibilities widened by a unique Hudson High scholarship.
Each will receive a John Hoeting Scholarship, which was created by a man who had no connection to the school and who few knew much about before his death in 1996.
Hoeting left his entire $450,000 estate to endow college scholarships to Hudson's two highest academic achievers every year. Each receives $10,000.
"You'd love to be able to say thanks to the guy," said Bruce McCart, a Hudson assistant principal. "But you didn't know it until he was already gone."
Four additional students wore red and gold cords distinguishing themselves as graduates summa cum laude. Sara Creamer, Jessica Marlette, Kate Wilson and Joshua Bunting all earned grade point averages of 4.2 or better.
Christopher Davies was honored this year as Commended Merit Scholar.
"The best way to predict your future is to create it," Marinelli told those packed into the school's gym.
In addition to being the school's salutatorian, Marinelli was honored as the school's female athlete of the year. She will attend the University of Tampa on a volleyball scholarship in the fall.
Walter Truzack, who made all-conference in football, wrestling and tennis, was selected as Hudson's male athlete of the year. He came in fourth in Florida's wrestling state championship held in Lakeland in April.
Before the graduates walked, a sequence of still photos set to music commemorated the graduates and some of the good times they have had as seniors.
The sequence began with baby photos of many of the graduates and closed with shots of the senior class trip and other memorable moments.
Senior class president Steve Midkiff Jr. handed out bouquets of flowers to many of Hudson's faculty members and thanked the class for all the memories.
Said Midkiff: "Why don't you guys come and get those pieces of paper we've all worked so hard on."