VALEDICTORIAN: Benjamin Wade James PLANS: To attend Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., to major in business
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, JROTC third company commander, Student Government president, soccer team captain, cross country team captain, tennis team member
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Volunteer at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, math tutor
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My dad, because he's hard-working and self-reliant
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Hard work and discipline
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Mirella and Wade James of St. Petersburg
SALUTATORIAN: Jennifer M. Wells PLANS: Most likely will accept an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society vice president, JROTC program battalion adjutant
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Leo Club, Key Club
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My mom, because she's always pushed me to do things I've never done before and she's always believed in me.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My belief in God has always given me strength.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: After going through years of preparation for the military, I was told I had failed a vision test. The school fought for me to get a waiver until I was accepted into a service academy.
PARENTS: Valerie and Michael Wells of St. Petersburg
Canterbury School of Florida
VALEDICTORIAN: Edward Ray PLANS: To attend the University of Florida to major in international relations
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, Spanish National Honor Society, senior class treasurer, international thespian society stage manager
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics volunteer, tutor
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Leonardo da Vinci, because he was the original Renaissance man. He was proficient in art, literature, music, theory, physics - everything. He was a genius.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I have always believed in keeping myself busy and having an ultimate goal.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: My father died when I was 4. My mother eventually remarried, but there was still a gap.
PARENTS: Carol Ray Skipper and Chester Skipper and the late Clarence B. Ray Jr.
SALUTATORIAN: Ashley Todd PLANS: To attend Florida State University to major in graphic design
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society vice president, thespian troupe publicity designer
COMMUNITY SERVICE: SPCA volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they have really influenced who I am
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I have a lot of determination and perseverance.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I had to fight the urge not to lay back and take it easy. I had to keep working even if I didn't want to.
PARENTS: Renee and Robert Todd of Clearwater
Keswick Christian School
VALEDICTORIAN: Whitney Shadowens PLANS: To attend the University of Florida to major in English
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, senior class president, school musical
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Habitat for Humanity, Praise band at church
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My mom, because she's a really strong person
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I'm really hard-working. I set my goals and do everything I can to achieve them.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: June and Jeff Shadowens of St. Petersburg
SALUTATORIAN: Andrew McClure PLANS: To attend the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society vice president, Student Council president, weightlifting and track team member, football team statistician, school musical, homecoming court
COMMUNITY SERVICE: YMCA volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My brother, for helping me with decisionmaking
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: All my talents are given to me by the Lord and I use them appropriately.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Judy and Richard McClure of Palm Harbor
Northside Christian School
VALEDICTORIAN: Aston Caccia PLANS: To attend the University of Florida to major in biology
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society secretary, senior class president, Key Club president, cross country team member, homecoming queen, Miss Northside Christian High School
COMMUNITY SERVICE: All Children's Hospital volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My mom, because she went through such hardship in her childhood
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I'm self-motivated. I push myself to fulfill my own potential.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Patricia and Joseph Caccia of St. Petersburg
SALUTATORIAN: Stephanie Allison PLANS: To attend Rollins College in Winter Park to major in music education
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, thespian troupe, female ensemble, Chambers choral group and concert, marching and jazz bands
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Hospice of the Florida Suncoast volunteer, music tutor
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Max Wood, Northside Christian School trumpet teacher
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Christian values
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Coming from a divorced family
PARENTS: Parents Lynn and Patrick Allison of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Catholic High
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: Lisa M. Bridge PLANS: To attend Florida State University; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta president, Spanish Honor Society, peer ministry team member, Academic Team, golf team, varsity cheerleading squad
COMMUNITY SERVICE: CASA and PARC volunteer, Holy Family Catholic Church choir member, Gospel Roads Salesian service program
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because of their involvement with the community, their faith and their happiness
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Having a good work ethic, doing the best I can and trying everything once
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Patty and Lorin Bridge of St. Petersburg
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: Rachel G. Tonini PLANS: To attend Boston University; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society treasurer, Mu Alpha Theta treasurer, Spanish Honor Society treasurer, Students Teaching Students, golf team, dance team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Alpha House volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they've supported me and encouraged me to do the best I can
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My work ethic
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Stress and time management
PARENTS: Charlotte Fazio of St. Petersburg and Jim Tonini of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
CO-SALUTATORIAN: Kelly M. Foyle PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, Key Club historian, thespian troupe member, varsity volleyball co-captain, Salesian leadership retreats, youth ministry
COMMUNITY SERVICE: TOPS outreach program for children with special needs, Christmas caroling to shut-ins, Holy Family Catholic Church choir
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they gave me 13 years of Catholic education and have always been supportive of me and my sister in academics and in all our other activities
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I set high goals for myself and have done my best to achieve them.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: It's sometimes hard being a twin. People think we're exactly the same person. We do participate in the same activities, but we do have two different personalities.
PARENTS: Judy and Larry Foyle of St. Petersburg
CO-SALUTATORIAN: Marisa L. Foyle PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta secretary, Spanish Honor Society, Key Club, thespian troupe member, varsity volleyball co-captain, Salesian leadership retreats, youth ministry
COMMUNITY SERVICE: TOPS outreach program for children with special needs, Christmas caroling to shut-ins, Holy Family Catholic Church choir
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, for always being supportive and my twin sister, for always pushing me to be a better person by her example
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Determination and encouragement from my family and friends
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I've always been a worrier. I've had to learn to stay calm and have a little faith.
PARENTS: Judy and Larry Foyle of St. Petersburg
Shorecrest Preparatory School
VALEDICTORIAN: Cain Soltoff PLANS: To attend Yale University in New Haven, Conn.; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta president, Florida Youth in Government supreme court chief justice, Spanish Club treasurer, Junior Exchange, tennis team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Rib Fest volunteer, tutor
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My dad, because he's always been extremely hard-working and has taught me the value of knowledge
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I think you've got to love what you do. I've always loved learning and finding out as much as I can about things.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: At the beginning of high school, I used to work too quickly. I had to learn to slow down and take my time.
PARENTS: Robin and Paul Soltoff of St. Petersburg
CO-SALUTATORIAN: Allison Sher PLANS: To attend the University of Pennsylvania; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, French Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Council, Junior Exchange, varsity volleyball
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Community Service Day chairwoman, tutor, preschool volunteer, Camp Anytown participant.
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they're always there for their friends and their community
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Support from family, friends and teachers
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Jan and Craig Sher of Seminole
CO-SALUTATORIAN: Mark Sirota PLANS: To attend Boston College; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, French Honor Society, French exchange program, Key Club
COMMUNITY SERVICE: PARC volunteer, tutor
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My dad, because he is successful in his business life and his personal life.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I can be a perfectionist, which pushes me to study my hardest.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Moving here six years ago
PARENTS: Carol and Michael Sirota of St. Petersburg
