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Graduation 2006

'A' is for awesome accomplishments

They've worked hard to get this far. Now is the time to reflect on the past four years and the time they put in to get those grades that earned them the top spots in the graduating class of 2006.

By Times Staff
Published May 17, 2006

ADMIRAL FARRAGUT ACADEMY

VALEDICTORIAN: MELISSA DE FABRIZIO

PLANS: Rhodes College, Memphis, Tenn.; biology

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Senior class vice president, varsity cross country, varsity track and field, varsity soccer, JROTC officer, yearbook staff, school play and musical.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County, Race for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg, Horses for the Handicapped in Seminole, Key Club, Leo Club.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would like there to be less hate.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: The support of my family and friends.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I'd like to become a veterinarian.

PARENTS: Luigi De Fabrizio and Shelley Shapiro of Toronto, Ontario.

Though she's ready to see what awaits her in Memphis, Melissa said she'll miss the friends she has made at Admiral Farragut in the past six years. In the meantime, she'll head back home to Canada for some quality time with family before she leaves for the YMCA Wanakita summer camp in Haliburton, Ontario, where she'll spend her second summer as camp counselor leading canoe trips for kids of all ages. "I really like working with children,'' she said.

Melissa, 18, said she's especially going to miss the kindergartener she met through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County. The two get together once a week at Tyrone Elementary School in St. Petersburg. "We read together and we play games that she makes up. She makes up the rules,'' she said.

Melissa said she would like to join a Memphis branch of BBBS once she gets to Rhodes College. "It's something I've really enjoyed doing this year. I think it's important to give back to the community, especially children,'' she said.

SALUTATORIAN: JANICE HA

PLANS: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; biology

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Varsity cross country, varsity tennis, NJROTC operations officer, Leo Club president, Key Club member, Book Club member.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Habitat for Humanity, selling newspapers for March of Dimes, cooking dinner for Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I want to get rid of hatred among people. I think hatred is one of the reasons for crime, terrorism and wars.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My parents have always supported me whenever I had difficulties. Because of their care, I was able to make good progress.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I want to become a pediatrician before I turn 30.

PARENTS: Jongjae Ha and Myungsu Kim of Seoul, South Korea.

THE CANTERBURY SCHOOL OF FLORIDA

VALEDICTORIAN: KIMBERLY ANNE STEPHENSON

PLANS: University of Florida, Gainesville; major undecided.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Varsity volleyball captain, varsity cheerleading, National Honor Society member, Students Against Destructive Decisions president, Interact Club historian, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish National Honor Society member.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Interact Club service projects, tutoring.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I've been blessed with a life that allows me to pursue whatever my heart desires, and I wish that everyone else in the world could have that as well.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I attribute my success to the love and encouragement of my parents and to hard work and dedication.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: Before I turn 30, I hope to have graduated from UF with a degree in something that fascinates me and will provide me with the opportunity for a wonderful career. I also hope to start a family and buy a house on a beautiful beach.

PARENTS: Ronald and Virginia Stephenson of St. Petersburg.

Kimberly, 18, decided as a sophomore that she wanted to go to UCLA. "I've always expected I'd go to college. The way my age group has been brought up, sophomore, junior year, you start looking at colleges,'' she said.

But in the end, the desire to stay a little closer to home led her to accept a spot at UF, where, she says, she is proud to have been accepted. "I decided (UCLA) wasn't for me. As much as I love that school, it was too far from my family," she said.

Kimberly said her parents were happy to find out their daughter would only be a few hours away by car, as opposed to a plane trip away.

"I pulled out this (University of) Florida Dad T-shirt right before I checked online to see if I'd been accepted, and a little tear came down (his cheek)," she said.

Kimberly said she's ready to experience life on a large campus. "I'm so excited to get out to a place with 40,000 other people around me, and getting involved in all the clubs and activities they have there."

SALUTATORIAN: ANNE MARIE DOZIER

PLANS: University of Central Florida, Orlando; major undeclared, likely sciences, lead scholars program.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Varsity cheerleading, Interact Club, Student Council member, student body president, homecoming queen, Students Against Destructive Decisions.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Interact Club projects, including Fun Run for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: No pollution!

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: The support from my mom and dad.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I would like to be the best person I can be and hopefully that will help others.

PARENTS: Patricia Conant of St. Petersburg and James Dozier of St. Petersburg.

KESWICK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN: ALISON PEARL THOMPSON

PLANS: Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Wheaton, Ill.; double major in piano performance and music history and literature.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society member, National Society of High School Scholars, Keswick Concert Choir accompanist, sang with the United States Youth Ensembles Chorale in the concert tour of Europe, first place and best interpretation of Chopin winner in the 2005 Frederick Chopin Piano Competition, sang with the Florida All-State Choir in Tampa, high school Praise Band keyboardist, role of Alma Hix in KCS production of The Music Man, piano teacher.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Pianist at McKee Lake Alliance Church in Pinellas Park, accompanist for "Christmas in October" concert at Bayridge Baptist Church in Seminole to raise money for missionaries, volunteer for Pinellas Association for Retarded Children, accompanist for Keswick Concert Choir at Veteran's Day ceremony at Seminole Library.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would want all nations to be at peace with each other and be able to enjoy the same freedoms that we enjoy in America.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I attribute my success to my supportive family and friends, the excellent teachers at Keswick Christian School, my piano instructors - Mrs. Jo Jensen and Mr. Leland Peck - and most importantly my faith in God. God has given me my talents and abilities and has enabled me to accomplish great things through his strength.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: My goal is to receive a doctorate degree in music and teach at a Christian college. I would like to go on missions trips and set up programs that would provide musical instruments and lessons to underprivileged children.

PARENTS: David E. and Gloria F. Thompson of Pinellas Park.

In August, Alison will begin her first year at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, where she hopes to hone her skills to someday spread the joy of music to underprivileged kids. "I think that music has the power to lift the spirits of people and I think it can give people hope. It can give them enrichment to life,'' she said.

It will be Alison's first experience attending a new school - ever. The 18-year-old has been a Keswick Christian School student since prekindergarten.

"I like it there because of the Christian environment, and the teachers are incredibly supportive. It's academically challenging also,'' she said. "I'm happy to move on, but I'm kind of sad too because I've been there forever and I have a lot of friends I'm going to miss.''

Alison attributes much of her success to her parents and her strong belief in God. "My parents have always just encouraged me and been there for everything I needed. I think my faith has played a large part of it too. I do my best not for my grades but for God's glory,'' she said.

SALUTATORIAN: RACHAEL M. SAYLOR

PLANS: University of South Florida, Tampa; business administration.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Yearbook editor, internship with LTA International 3M in St. Petersburg.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Habitat for Humanity, Pathways Community Church nursery.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: Eliminate all world problems that produce pain and suffering, such as eliminating poverty and starvation by impacting those who have enough to give when they do not (give).

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My willingness to help others and work hard. I strive to gain knowledge and understanding.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: Start my own business in an area that interests me.

PARENTS: Brian and Kimberly Saylor of St. Petersburg.

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN: ELIZABETH CAROL REHNKE

PLANS: University of Florida, Gainesville; exercise and sports sciences.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: High school homecoming queen, Florida's Homecoming Queen, Miss NCHS, Student Council secretary, National Honor Society chaplain, varsity cheerleading captain, role of Adelaide in Northside Christian production of Guys and Dolls.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala, elementary cheerleading clinics.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would want to instill a newfound sense of respect in people for God, their families, their peers and their country.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My success comes from the Lord, but my family, as well as the teachers and faculty at Northside, have greatly helped along the way!

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I would like to have a successful career, be married to a wonderful man and be starting a family by this time.

PARENTS: Dr. Ernest and Linda Rehnke.

Elizabeth said that one of the most memorable moments of her high school years came in November, when she was chosen as Northside's homecoming queen. She later received a letter informing her that she was eligible to enter Florida's Homecoming Queen competition, held in Orlando in early April. The 18-year-old wasn't sure at first if she wanted to enter, but was glad she did: She won and is now eligible to compete in the national competition in Anaheim, Calif., in July.

In her interview for the state competition, Elizabeth said she spoke about the importance of self-respect and accepting ourselves as we are. "We were created in God's image and we all need to shine as the human beings we are,'' she said.

Elizabeth said that, besides Jesus, she considers her role model to be her grandfather: "He is a very philosophical man. He's educated me on everything and instilled in me a huge sense of patriotism. He's a wonderful, wonderful man.''

SALUTATORIAN: DEBBIE LOWRY

PLANS: University of Florida, Gainesville; pre-dentistry.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Varsity swimming, varsity soccer, Key Club, National Honor Society.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would eliminate the closed-mindedness that many people have.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I attribute my success to date to my family and their constant encouragement.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: Before I turn 30, I hope to have a successful career with which I could possibly start a family and support them.

PARENTS: Dr. William and Janis Lowry of St. Petersburg.

ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN: ROBIN A. LINK

PLANS: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.; political science/journalism.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Student Government Association student body vice president, National Honor Society president, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society member, National Science Society member, Youth Ministry Social Justice member, varsity basketball.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Girl's basketball camp counselor, Mainsail Arts Festival, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Alpha House collection, hurricane relief fundraiser, annual canned food drive, Marty Lyons Foundation fundraiser.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would add more compassion to the hearts of people in the world because it seems that recently, the world has lost its sense of compassion for other human beings and for the environment.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I attribute my success to my mother, who has instilled in me a good work ethic, confidence and determination, and to God, who has guided me throughout my life.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I would like to achieve happiness and to not have any regrets about my life from missed opportunities.

PARENTS: Jane Link of St. Petersburg and Robert Link of Dade City.

It took dedication and focus for Robin to get the top spot in her graduating class. The summer before her junior year, the 17-year-old was injured in a bicycle accident. "I broke my clavicle and had a severe concussion,'' she said.

For the first several months of the school year, Robin went to school for half-days while she coped with headaches that often made it hard for her to concentrate. She said the experience inadvertently prepared her for college, where she knows that students are expected to work more independently than in high school. "I think it helped with my work ethic and helped me become more independent,'' she said.

Robin said her mom was, and has always been, an inspiration to her. "She's always there for me. I know I can talk to her about anything, any time. She's someone I know personally that has overcome so much and still been successful and happy and such a great mom to me and my sister."

SALUTATORIAN: SEAN MICHAEL BRADLEY

PLANS: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.; business.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Youth Ministry, varsity soccer.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp counselor.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would like to see more care for the terminally ill and more programs to assist them in leading a normal life.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I attribute my success to loving parents and hard work and the support of the teachers and staff at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I would like to start my own family and have a successful business.

PARENTS: Mike and Liz Bradley of Seminole.

SHORECREST PREPARATORY SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN: RYAN ANDREW MILOV

PLANS: Amherst College, Amherst, Mass., Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., or Georgetown University, Washington, D.C; liberal arts.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Play guitar and sing for UJB, a band outside of school, soccer, varsity cross country, editor and contributor to Tides Literary Magazine.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: I would want world peace.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: A solid work ethic, good teachers and luck.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: I would like to be happy before I'm 30.

PARENTS: Laurance and Magfalda Milov of St. Petersburg.

Ryan said he has always had a thirst for knowledge. "I've never really minded studying. Even the stuff that doesn't come as easily I just enjoy learning," he said. Milov said he will pursue a liberal arts degree to broaden his mind.

The 17-year-old said that he attributes his work ethic to his parents and his curiosity about the world around him. "I like to write and I like to think,'' he said.

SALUTATORIAN: KELLY M. JONES

PLANS: Duke University, Durham, N.C.; biochemistry.

SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Youth in Government president, Latin Club president, National Latin Honor Society president, Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Quill and Scroll, yearbook staff, Math Club, Junior Exchange Club, varsity cheerleading, varsity soccer co-captain, Palm Harbor Nighthawks club soccer.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Collecting blankets for the homeless, stuffing Sojourn bears and working at RibFest with the Junior Exchange Club, tutoring middle school students with NHS, collecting toys for farmworkers' children with the Latin Club.

ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD: The threat of terrorism rings foremost in my mind. Both the tragedy of 9/11 and the war in Iraq transformed from a naive girl into a young American who cherishes her freedom and understands its fragility. I just hope my children will grow up in a world where they will not see monumental landmarks fall from the sky at the hands of terrorists; nor do I want them to wake up to their first day of spring break, turn on the television, and see the first live footage of America at war. I need my generation to keep searching for the answers so our children can grow up in a kinder, gentler world.

THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: He doesn't know it but Dr. Epstein, the now retired St. Petersburg pediatrician, influenced my parents with his advice when I was a newborn. My parents asked him how to raise a healthy child in this sometimes crazy world. He told them two things: "Continue to love each other as much as you do her, and provide for her the best education you can afford." Whatever success I have now can be attributed to Dr. Epstein, my parents; my grandparents, Edsel and Kathy Jones; and Shorecrest Preparatory School.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I'M 30: Everything I possibly can. Then I'll work on the rest for the next 60 years.

PARENTS: Kevin J. and Holly M. Jones of St. Petersburg.

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 08:58:23]