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Best of the bestBy DONNA WINCHESTER
© St. Petersburg Times, EDITOR'S NOTE: They have the highest grade point averages in their classes, but it doesn't stop there. The Class of 2001 valedictorians and salutatorians also have found time to participate in school clubs, sports and community activities. Over the next several weeks, Top of the Class will pay tribute to these outstanding individuals. Gibbs High School
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: JULIE MARIE FERGUSON PLANS: Daytona Beach Community College SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society historian, yearbook editor HONORS AND AWARDS: $1,000 Miniature Art Society of Florida scholarship, Florida Bright Futures Merit scholarship, scholastic portfolio award COMMUNITY SERVICE: National Honor Society community service projects, National Honor Society math tutor BEST CLASS AND WHY: Mrs. Kelly's costume class, because there's a great ambiance and I'm always surrounded by fabric FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Sewing, painting, creating MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: Being named Pinellas County Center for the Arts Commencement 2000 Miss Visual Arts FAVORITE BOOK: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger PARENTS: Kathy and Jim Ferguson Julie Ferguson, 18, always knew she wanted to be an artist. Three years into the visual arts program at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High, she took a costume class and found her focus. "When I walk into the costume shop at school, I think of all the things I could make with that material," she said. "I want to make coats and I want to make dresses and I want to make skirts. I want to make shoes really badly." Her first projects were the pillows and teddy bears her grandmother taught her to make when she was a child. This year, she made costumes for Gibbs' Madrigal Dinner production and for theater department productions of Working and Alice in Wonderland. "The mock turtle costume for Alice was the most challenging costume I've made," she said. "It was very time consuming because I had to figure out how to make a costume (the actor) could dance in." Julie has her heart set on going to the School at the Art Institute of Chicago to study apparel design. In the meantime, she will attend Daytona Beach Community College to save money and work on her drawing skills. She would like to work for a design house after college and "be involved in fabric and sewing in some way, shape or form." "I don't know the place," she said. "But Italy would be fun." CO-VALEDICTORIAN: MELISSA SKINNER
PLANS: University of Florida SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society vice president, International Thespian Society vice president, GSA member HONORS AND AWARDS: Achievement awards in science, social studies, English and mathematics COMMUNITY SERVICE: North Bay Community Church thrift store volunteer, National Honor Society math and science tutor BEST CLASS AND WHY: Plays and Playwrights II, because reading plays and analyzing them has widened my knowledge of famous plays and has helped me learn to write an analytical paper FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Musical theater performance MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: Playing Alice in Alice in Wonderland FAVORITE BOOK: Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy PARENTS: Julie Small and Michael Skinner For a long time, the driving force in Melissa Skinner's life was theater. She lived it and breathed it. She thought she would pursue it as a career. Now she's having second thoughts. "It's not that I don't like it anymore," the 18-year-old said. "It's just that I'm trying to find something else." She hasn't decided what the "something else" will be. "I do well in things like math and science and English, but I don't really know what I like," she said. "I know there's a difference between doing things well and liking to do them." Her friends assumed that because she majored in theater at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs, she would study theater in college. They are surprised, she said, when she tells them she is thinking about studying psychology. "A lot of people say that if you're at PCCA and you don't go into theater, you're wasting your life," she said. "But I made the right choice to go there. It's made a huge impact on my life." Among the things she learned at PCCA are discipline and commitment. There were weeks, she said, when she didn't see her house in the daylight because she was immersed in rehearsals. "I've learned so much, not only about theater, but about art and about the world. It's made me a well-rounded person," she said. SALUTATORIAN: CHARLES V. PLUMMER
PLANS: Rollins College, Winter Park SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, Academic Team member, French Club treasurer HONORS AND AWARDS: Rotary Youth Leadership Award for participation in Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders, Alltel Brain Bowl 2001 participant, voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by classmates, achievement awards in English, French, science and social studies COMMUNITY SERVICE: Monthly work projects with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, annual diocesan youth rally, National Honor Society projects, Cathedral Church of St. Peter youth group and choir member MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: The moment I finished my senior recital FAVORITE BOOK: Any book on theology or philosophy PARENTS: Cellia F. and Charles D. Plummer Charles Plummer, 18, describes himself as a quiet, down-to-earth person. "My friends would probably say that I'm smart, but I really don't see myself that way," he said. "I just work hard." A piano major at Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs, Charles has studied piano since third grade but isn't sure if he wants to be a professional musician. "Whatever I do, it's not going to be limited to just my surroundings," he said. "I feel like I'm called to reach out to a lot of people." He already has had some outreach experience. He belongs to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, a men's organization that helps young people better their lives. He will go to the Dominican Republic this summer on a mission trip to teach vacation Bible school and he will lead a youth group at a weeklong seminar sponsored by Rotary International. He devours religious literature in his spare time. He has studied different denominations and said he can see some good in all of them. "They're just different ways to worship," he said. "No one denomination will have everything right." He said his outreach work and his religious studies have taught him a lot about himself. "I'm getting a better idea of who I am on the inside," he said. "The main thing I've learned is to be myself and not compare myself to everybody else." Northeast High School
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: JESSICA LYNN JOHN PLANS: University of Oklahoma SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Varsity cheerleading, all-star cheerleading, Future Business Leaders of America, Hi-Y youth in government program, French Club, student government class secretary, National Honor Society secretary, Mu Alpha Theta treasurer, Interact treasurer, French Club HONORS AND AWARDS: $54,000 University of Oklahoma merit scholarship, $2,000 Virginia Polytechnic Institute scholarship, U.S. Marine Corps scholarship, St. Petersburg Junior College Trustees scholarship, National Merit Scholar finalist, YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs delegate, YMCA State Youth in Government Chief Justice, varsity cheerleading captain, Senior Hall of Fame, Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Society Achievement Academy awards for math and science, PRIDE award for science, voted "Most Spirited" by classmates COMMUNITY SERVICE: YMCA after-school programs mentor and tutor, Ronald McDonald House and SPCA volunteer BEST CLASS AND WHY: AP Literature, because we read a variety of books and got into some awesome discussions FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Cheerleading, going to the beach MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: Senior picnic FAVORITE BOOK: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee PARENTS: Denise and Tom John At 18, Jessica John has her future mapped out. "I plan to run for president in 2024. That's my ambition," she said. Before she graduates from the University of Oklahoma in 2005, she wants to study foreign languages and become a Rhodes Scholar. Her anticipated graduation date from law school is 2008. "After college and law school I will apply to the FBI," she said. "I'll probably start as a special agent and maybe work up to an administrative position to help further my career in politics." After her stint in the FBI, Jessica's plans are up in the air. She isn't sure if she'll run for governor or for the Senate, but whichever she chooses, it probably will be in Florida. "I like living here," she said. "It's a great state. I want to make it better." One area where she would like to make a difference is education. "I think teachers need to be paid more," she said. "I also would like to see more teacher involvement with students. Teachers will be able to help students more if they get to know them better." Why is someone with political ambitions going to an engineering school like the University of Oklahoma? "I didn't think of applying there, but they contacted me," she said. "They seemed like they really wanted me there. They were very accommodating." She will miss her family and friends, she said, but she is looking forward to spreading her wings. "I haven't been out of Florida much," she said. "If I want to be in politics, I need to see more, get other people's perspectives. I need to figure out who I am." CO-VALEDICTORIAN: HANNAH EILEEN SHOAF
PLANS: University of South Florida SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Senior Hall of Fame, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society president, senior class senator HONORS AND AWARDS: Rotary Scholar, USF Presidential scholarship, Bright Futures scholarship COMMUNITY SERVICE: North Shore Elementary tutor, National Honor Society volunteer for Special Olympics, Tampa Bay Blues Festival BEST CLASS AND WHY: Mr. Flannery's American History class, because I've never had a teacher push me the way he did FAVORITE ACTIVITY: I love to go to the gym. It's the best way to burn stress and make myself feel better. MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: When I was voted Miss Manners by my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Scales FAVORITE BOOK: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger PARENTS: Janet and Neil Shoaf Hannah Shoaf, 18, is committed to working in the medical field, but she doesn't want her career to consume her. "I really want to be a doctor because I love science, but I don't want my job to be my life," she said. "I want to love what I do, but I don't want it to be who I am." Following her mother's lead, Hannah would like to be a professional and also raise a family. "Mom always worked, but she was there for us," Hannah said. "She was always home when we were home." She thought about specializing in orthopedics or sports medicine, but is considering dermatology because she thinks it would give her the freedom to raise a family. Besides her mother, her teachers have been role models, Hannah said. She is still in touch with several of them. "My teachers have helped me out along the way. They knew better than I did when I was slacking and when I wasn't." Always at the top of her class, Hannah said she can't stand not to be the best. Her competitive nature is at the core of her life philosophy. "You have to watch out for yourself and not pay attention to what other people are doing," she said. "You can't sell yourself short just to make other people happy." SALUTATORIAN: KAREN HARMEL
PLANS: University of Florida SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Marching band drum major and vice president, concert band, student government, senior class senator, National Honor Society vice president, Mu Alpha Theta, Academic Team HONORS AND AWARDS: $24,000 University of Florida Merit scholarship, $2,500 National Merit scholarship, Bright Futures Florida academic scholarship, National Merit finalist, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute award winner, Senior Hall of Fame, Who's Who Among American High School Students, all-star marching band, south county academic excellence award for band, homecoming court, 2000 Miss Northeast High School finalist, Miss Congeniality 2000, voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by classmates COMMUNITY SERVICE: Elementary school tutor, Bill Bradley for President campaign volunteer, Friends of Strays volunteer BEST CLASS AND WHY: AP American History, because we discussed and debated current events FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Marching band MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: The first day of ninth grade FAVORITE BOOK: Anything by John Grisham PARENTS: Carol Harmel and Richard Harmel Karen Harmel wasn't old enough to vote in the 2000 presidential election. But that didn't prevent her from spending hours at Bill Bradley's campaign headquarters last fall convincing other people to vote for him. "Al Gore was obviously the party favorite, but I liked Bradley's ideas better," she said. "He seemed like he would work for the people." Describing herself as an individual thinker, Karen said she was attracted to the grass roots aspects of the campaign. She wasn't discouraged when her friends didn't share her political enthusiasm, or when her mother didn't share her opinion. "My mom is more conservative," she said. "We have some pretty spirited discussions around the house." Karen will pursue her passion for politics as a political science major at the University of Florida, and is considering a career as a political campaigner. Her other passion is marching band. She has played drums since fifth grade and was drum major at Northeast in her senior year. Being responsible for conducting the band on the field and in parades taught her leadership and responsibility, she said. She played snare drum in the concert band after football season, but said she prefered marching band. "It's more upbeat, and there are better parts for percussion," she said. "I got a little nervous, but I liked being up there in front of everybody." Pinellas Park High School
VALEDICTORIAN: KRISTIN MAUGER PLANS: Florida State University SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Cross country team captain, track team co-captain, basketball co-captain, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Science Honor Society HONORS AND AWARDS: $3,000 Florida State University scholarship, $1,000 Largo Chamber of Commerce scholarship, Bright Futures scholarship, Senior Athlete of the Year COMMUNITY SERVICE: Gulfport Veterinary Clinic BEST CLASS AND WHY: Sign language class, because it was different and it was fun FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Playing basketball MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENT: Being crowned homecoming queen FAVORITE BOOK: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo PARENTS: Beth and David Mauger Kristin Mauger, 17, knows the benefits and the liabilities of having teachers for parents. "It's nice because they know what's going on in the school system," she said. "But no one would date me at my school because my dad teaches there." The opportunity to take extended summer vacations with her parents overrode the dating drawback, she said. "I've been to all different parts of the country and I've gotten to experience a lot of what America is about. It's something a lot of kids don't get to do," she said. Her involvement in sports has been another educational experience. "When you're on a sports team, you're with lots of other people your age," she said. "It teaches you to be cooperative. You all share a common goal." Competing in sports also has taught her that nothing worth getting comes without effort. It can be so physically demanding, she said, that it's good preparation for the rigors of finding a job. What advice do parents who are teachers give college-bound daughters? "They want me to enjoy college but still keep up my grades," she said. "They want me to have fun but be responsible and do what I need to do to keep my scholarships." SALUTATORIAN: KELEE REHG
PLANS: University of South Florida SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, Future Educators of America president, Science Honor Society vice president, Interact secretary, Spanish Honor Society, Academic Team HONORS AND AWARDS: USF Presidential scholarship, Largo Chamber of Commerce scholarship, USF Honors Program scholarship, Pinellas Park High School Patriot Pride Award COMMUNITY SERVICE: Students Teach Students, Students Working Against Alcohol, R Club volunteer, blood drive volunteer, National Honor Society tutor FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Sleeping MOST MEMORABLE SCHOOL MOMENTS: When a group of my classmates placed second last year and third this year in field day activities FAVORITE BOOK: The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien PARENTS: Karen Libby and John Rehg Kellee Rehg, 17, wants her classmates to remember her as a leader rather than a follower. She took the initiative whenever a project needed action, notably her class' field day. "I had everything planned out," she said. "You could ask me anything and I could look on my sheets and tell you about it." Her friends sometimes teased her about her obsession for organization, she said, but she had the satisfaction of knowing they needed her skills. Interested in the "inner workings of the mind," she wants to major in psychology and eventually become a psychiatrist. When she graduates from medical school, she would like to enter private practice. She sees herself 10 years from now working from an office in her home. In the meantime, she is excited about moving into her first apartment. Her commitment to teaching students about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco taught her how to juggle her time, she said. "It taught me a lot about what I can and can't manage. Sometimes I took on too much, but I'd take a break and came back and it would be fine."
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