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Schools

The best and the brightest of 2006

Area high schools announce this year's valedictorians and salutatorians.

By Rdanielsonn
Published May 2, 2006

Largo High School

Angela Jewett

Valedictorian

Parents: Margaret and John Jewett of Largo.

Activities: Key Club, Spanish Honor Society vice president, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Senior Council, Principal's Advisory Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Crossfire co-president, Cross Country co-captain, First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks youth group, Solid Rock Company, Make A Difference fishing tournament, Relay for Life.

Education plans: University of Florida, majoring in microbiology and cell science.

Change I would like to see: In a world that has begun to take an attitude of "anything goes," I would like to see the return of things held to a higher standard.

Reason for my success: God and his never-failing love and guidance through everything; my family who has supported me and made an infinite number of sacrifices for me; my teachers who have taught me everything that they know.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Success in a career as a pediatrician. I would also like to be involved in world missions with First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks.

Michelle McGovern

Salutatorian

Parents: Kathy McGovern of Largo and Bill McGovern of St. Petersburg.

Activities: National Honor Society president, Spanish Honor Society secretary, competitive soccer team captain, peer mediator and mentor, Key Club, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta, Freshman Mentoring, Senior Council, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens volunteer, Youth Leadership Foundation, Make a Difference fishing tournament, Relay for Life.

Education plans: University of Central Florida, majoring in hospitality and finance.

Fear about the future: Failure. However, I feel my experiences in high school have provided me with the framework to become successful and have instilled the desire to thrive and never become complacent with anything less than my capabilities.

Advice to freshmen: Become involved; remember to take your studies seriously; establish good study habits and life skills to help you become successful after graduation.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Own my own home; be a successful and independent businesswoman; have lived and worked in several major cities in the United States and abroad.

Valedictorians and salutatorians have the highest grade point averages, but their interests and ambitions don't stop there. Community service, extra activities and lofty goals set these 2006 graduates apart. - Jane Madden Welch, Times Correspondent

Clearwater High School

Sarah Stellick

Valedictorian

Parents: Vicki and James Stellick of Clearwater.

Activities: National Honor Society president, Academic Team captain, International Thespian Society.

Education plans: University of South Florida honors program, majoring in microbiology/medical research.

Reason for my success: I definitely attribute my success to God. God gave me every gift that I have and, through him, I have always found a determination to work and a love for learning.

Change I would like to see: The pace and manner in which the children of our world are growing up.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: To find a cure for some type of cancer.

Bradley K. Hamilton

Co-salutatorian

Parents: Hoyt and Sheryl Hamilton of Clearwater.

Activities: National Honor Society, PTSA student representative, volunteer for blood drives.

Education plans: Georgia Tech, majoring in biomedical engineering.

Advice to freshmen: Work hard and stay focused in order to succeed.

Fear about the future: Being lost in the shuffle and having a difficult time adjusting to college life.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Graduate from medical school and begin a career in dermatology.

Grant A. Jester

Co-salutatorian

Parents: Phil and Allison Jester of Clearwater.

Activities: National Honor Society treasurer, Spanish Honor Society, Pinellas County Youth Advisory Committee, technical director of St. Paul United Methodist Church television broadcast, Pinellas County Government Channel volunteer.

Education plans: University of Florida, majoring in premed.

Advice to freshmen: Challenge yourself with the classes you choose. Develop a hardworking and self-disciplined attitude. Don't whine.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Become a practicing orthopedic physician in the field of sports medicine.

Dunedin High School

Ladina Badraun

Valedictorian

Parents: Ruth and Reto Badraun of Dunedin.

Activities: National Honor Society, girls varsity tennis, Powderpuff, VICA Skills USA, Homecoming Committee, Dunedin Public Library volunteer, beach cleanup volunteer.

Education plans: University of Florida, majoring in architecture.

Reason for my success: Open-minded, multilingual, multicultural, close family, great friends, focused.

Change I would like to see: Make the world a more peaceful place to live.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Become a licensed architect and own my own architecture firm.

Daniel Alessandro

Salutatorian

Parents: James and Karen Alessandro of Dunedin.

Activities: Future Business Leaders of America member, attended FBLA state leadership conference in Orlando.

Education plans: University of Tampa, majoring in business.

Fear about the future: Since I'm not too certain about what I plan on doing, I'm a little fearful of ending up doing something I don't want to be doing.

Advice to freshmen: Don't be afraid to take hold of opportunities when they come up.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Own my own business.

East Lake High School

Devon D. Grimme

Valedictorian

Parents: Stephen and Laura Grimme of Tarpon Springs.

Activities: Community Tampa Bay, Operation PAR, Multicultural Advisory Committee, Forensics Club president, National Honor Society, Academic Team.

Education plans: University of Florida honors program, majoring in family, youth and community sciences.

Change I would like to see: People's lack of knowledge about how much power they have to become agents of change, and their lack of willingness to do so.

Reason for my success: Unwavering support from family and friends; ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunities; wanting to learn new things and gain a broader perspective of the world.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: Establish a family; become financially stable enough to donate time and resources to worthy charities; attain a position of leadership in the community to make a difference in the lives of fellow residents.

Amy Carty

Salutatorian

Parents: David Carty and Jacqueline Farrell of Palm Harbor.

Activities: Varsity girls basketball, varsity flag football, Academic Team captain, National Honor Society, Interact and Eagle Eye News, Hospice volunteer, East Lake United Methodist Church member.

Fear about the future: I worry that as Americans we will become so self-absorbed and desensitized that suffering in other parts of the world will no longer bother us.

Advice to freshmen: Choose your friends wisely; their influence can make the difference between success and failure.

Hopes to accomplish before age 30: A college degree and a career I actually like. I hope that I will become a person who is able to accept adult responsibilities without completely "growing up."

[Last modified May 2, 2006, 02:37:08]