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Best of Class: Private schools

Admiral Farragut Academy

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

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

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

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

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

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