VALEDICTORIAN: Jackie Chin PLANS: To attend the University of Central Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta co-president, senior class president, Student Council member, varsity soccer, varsity flag football
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Elementary school tutor, CASA volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My mom, because she's strong and independent, and she raised me and my sister by herself.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I was motivated to impress my parents so they would be proud of me.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Trying to balance out-of-school activities with academics.
PARENTS: Sandra Pepicello of Largo and John Chin of Colorado
If Jackie Chin could convince adults of one thing, it would be that young people deserve the benefit of the doubt. She thinks the adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" could have been written for teens.
"Each person is different," she said. "One might be rude, but the next might be respectful and polite."
The 18-year-old knows firsthand that snap judgments can be shortsighted. People often assume she is shy before they take the time to get to know her. More often than not, she is simply taking time to assess the situation.
"Once I get to know people, I'm more open," she said.
Although Jackie is comfortable in a classroom or a library, she feels most at home on an athletic field. She began playing league soccer more than 10 years ago and hopes to secure a spot on UCF's soccer team.
The four years she spent on Dixie's soccer and flag football teams took up a lot of her time, but she said in the long run, being involved in sports made her a better student.
"A lot of times, my parents would say, "You have to have the grades to play,' " she said. "Sports caused me to be more active in school and helped me become more outgoing."
SALUTATORIAN: Ashley Hill PLANS: To attend the University of Florida to major in pharmacy
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Student Council secretary
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Elementary school tutor, blood drive coordinator
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My mom, because she's always taught me to be a strong person and she herself has always been strong.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: A lot of strength and dedication to school.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I moved to Florida in ninth grade without knowing anyone. I had been going down the wrong road, and I had to start my life over again. Also, I had a little "senioritis" toward the end of this year. I've tried not to procrastinate so that I can finish and do really well.
PARENTS: Tina and Louis Griffey of Pinellas Park
Osceola High
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: Andrew Siegler
PLANS: To attend Flagler College to prepare for a career in law and sports management
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, French Honor Society, French Club, Warriors Against Crime, varsity football, varsity baseball
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Eagle Scout, Bayfront Medical Center and St. Anthony's Hospital volunteer, Relay for Life, tutoring
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My dad, because with everything he has been through and continues to go through with his illness, he has always supported me in athletics, academics and life.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My parents have always encouraged me and pointed me in the right direction.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Learning to cope when I heard the news about my dad five years ago.
PARENTS: Kathy and Tom Siegler of Seminole
Andrew Siegler grew up quickly when his father was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The 18-year-old had to start taking on more responsibility around the house. He had to accept that his dad was too sick to play catch with him and his younger brother.
Now, with his father's condition regulated by medication, Andrew is breathing easier.
"It was something we had to deal with," he said philosophically. "My dad is still the greatest dad in the world."
The ordeal strengthened Andrew's resolve to make every minute of his life count. Chosen from 16 semifinalists for a $56,000 scholarship to Flager, he plans to study sports management and follow his dream of becoming a sports agent. He'll back up his plans with a law degree just in case things don't work out.
He credits earning Eagle Scout for giving him an edge for the scholarship.
"It was probably one of the proudest moments in my life," he said. "It was something I'd been working on for 10 years."
Although he has "aged out" of Scouting, he plans to become an adult leader so he can help younger Scouts.
"For an Eagle Scout, the main thing is leadership and service to the community," he said.
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: Amanda Baker PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida to major in microbiology
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta president, senior class vice president, varsity cross country captain
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Osceola Relays, Huff 'n Puff Fitness Frolic, Relay for Life, judge for elementary science fair, tutoring
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My sister, because she has dedicated her life to helping other people.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: My family and friends are very supportive of me.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: It has been very difficult for me to balance school, work, clubs, sports, community service, a job and a social life. I am often pulled in so many different directions at once. It can be overwhelming at times.
PARENTS: Sharon and Jim Baker of Largo
Amanda Baker learned one of her biggest lessons outside the classroom.
After her father introduced her to long-distance running a few years ago, she concentrated all her energy on training for 5K road races. Her initial results were disappointing - and humbling.
"It seemed like for the first time in my life, I had to work hard for something," she said. "I would be out there training really hard five or six days a week, then I would go to the race and there would be people there a lot better than me. It was a shock to my system."
The experience also gave her empathy for her peers who struggle for good grades.
"So many people were always telling me how much they had to study," she said. "Now I know what they were going through."
She improved her speed and endurance over time and joined the cross country and track teams at school. She thoroughly enjoyed the sport until her senior year, when she had to drop out so she could get a job to earn money for college.
"It felt like a part of me was gone," she said. "I know this is something I want to do for the rest of my life."
The 18-year-old said for her, the benefits of running go beyond the physical.
"I feel lucky," she said. "A lot of honors students, especially valedictorians and salutatorians, go to college thinking they are the best at everything. But there will always be someone who's better than you. I'm really thankful I learned this lesson at such a young age."
SALUTATORIAN: Tina Engert PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida to major in math or music
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, Mu Alpha Theta, Tri M music honor society president, Interact corresponding secretary, marching band drum major, varsity bowling team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Osceola Middle School band volunteer, tutoring
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they have worked hard to accomplish their goals and have inspired me to achieve my goals through hard work and dedication.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Support from parents, family and teachers and having a positive attitude.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: It has been hard for me to balance school work with band and extracurricular activities, but with dedication and persistence, I have overcome this challenge.
PARENTS: Debbie and Ken Engert of Seminole
Pinellas Park High
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: Melanie Aganon PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society vice president, Academic Team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Tutoring, soup kitchen and assisted living facility volunteer, Philippine Performing Arts Company performer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My Aunt Muerina, because she works hard and takes care of my grandparents. She is very down to earth and knows how to have fun.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I've always pushed myself.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: When we moved here from California, I was 9 years old. Leaving friends and family was difficult.
PARENTS: Josefina and Ramon Aganon
Besides launching a brilliant career as a pharmacist or a doctor, Melanie Aganon would like to work toward another goal: ridding the world of sexism.
The 17-year-old thinks it's unfair that narrow-minded attitudes can reduce a woman's chances of being successful in the academic arena or on the athletic field. The message she would like to send to women is that their best defense against such thinking is to prove it incorrect.
"Ever since I was little, it's always been, "Melanie is going to be a doctor,' " she said, explaining that her family has encouraged her to succeed regardless of stereotypes.
She hopes to get started on her career this summer as a pharmacy technician at a hospital or drugstore and said she is eager to begin undergraduate research in medicine or psychiatry when she gets to USF.
She sees no end in sight to the hectic pace she kept up throughout high school.
"You have to make sure you don't overschedule yourself," she said. "But a lot of times, you just stay up all night."
CO-VALEDICTORIAN: Liza Laquian PLANS: To attend Florida State University to major in biomedical engineering
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society vice president, Mu Alpha Theta president, Future Educators of America president, Academic Team co-captain, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Clearwater Free Clinic, Sable Palms Rehabilitation Center volunteer, tutoring
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My sister Lynne, because she has always supported me without pressuring me.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Perseverance, ambition and integrity.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I'm a military child, and the Navy life has affected the way I interact with people. I was very shy when I was younger.
PARENTS: Florida and Alejandro Laquian of Largo
Liza Laquian credits her parents for showing her the best of two worlds.
From the time she was a child, they exposed her to the rich culture of their native Philippines. They also instilled in her a respect for the American ideals they had come here to find.
The 17-year-old said she grew up with an appreciation of both countries.
"In the Philippines, there is a lot of political turmoil, a lot of political corruption in the government," she said. "It makes you proud to live in an area where you can make your choices."
Liza takes advantage of every opportunity to tell other young people about her heritage.
"Americans think all Asian people must be Chinese, but each culture is different," she said.
With 12 years of school behind her, Liza wants to do something "really cool" with her life. She expects to attend graduate school after earning her bachelor's degree and is considering medical school.
"My mom always wanted me to be a doctor," she said. "I think that's the pressure of being Filipino. If you're Asian, your parents pressure you into becoming a doctor."
She knows her mother's prodding has a source. After studying hard in the Philippines to become a doctor, her mother could get a job only as a nurse when she came to the United States.
"They both made a lot of sacrifices and put in a lot of hard work to get where they are," Liza said.
SALUTATORIAN: Charli Regel PLANS: To attend the University of Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society secretary, Mu Alpha Theta secretary, Science Honor Society treasurer, Spanish Honor Society, Academic Team
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Pinellas Park Public Library volunteer, tutoring
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they have been behind me in everything I do.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I push myself to do well in school.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I had an eye surgery in 10th grade that caused me to have double vision. I've had to learn to live with it.
PARENTS: Kelly and Richard Regel of Pinellas Park
St. Petersburg High
VALEDICTORIAN: Aimee Hollingworth PLANS: To attend the University of South Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Key Club, Rho Kappa, Fellowship of Christian Students
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Red Cross community education trainer, coastal cleanup, Light the Night Walk, Race for the Cure, multiple sclerosis walk, school cleanup
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Mr. Rogers, because he has taught me the fundamentals of life.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: I enjoy learning important and trivial information. I've also always been surrounded by encouraging and supportive people who relate to my nerdiness.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Getting up before the crack of dawn has certainly been difficult.
PARENTS: Cheryl and Larry Hollingworth
Besides her parents, Aimee Hollingworth said Mr. Rogers, the late children's TV personality, has been the biggest influence on her life.
Among other things, he taught her how to make orange juice and dye Easter eggs. More important, he helped her sort through her feelings and taught her that even though people are different, they all deserve respect.
"He just made things seem a little easier," she said.
A self-proclaimed "nerd," the 18-year-old said her hobbies are "education related."
"I enjoy learning things," she said. "If I could go to school my entire life, I think I would like to do that."
She hopes to continue learning - and honing her knack for trivia - as she moves into her career. She plans to continue watching Jeopardy, one of her favorite television shows, and competing with her sister for the correct answers.
Still undecided on a major, she would like to merge her fascination with anatomy with her love of animals.
"Maybe I'll work in a zoo," she said. "I think it would be kind of cool to play with monkeys."
SALUTATORIAN: Joel Lombardi PLANS: To attend the University of Florida to study political science
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: Academic Team, Youth in Government, Young Republicans founder, Fellowship of Christian Students
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Christmas Toy Shop volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Ronald Reagan, because of his clear sense of right and wrong, his determination and his great political skill.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Encouragement because of faith, family and friends and a sense of personal responsibility.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Donna and Ernest Lombardi of St. Petersburg
International Baccalaureate program at St. Petersburg High
VALEDICTORIAN: Matthew LeVine PLANS: To attend Emory University to major in music and then to attend Georgia Tech to major in science and engineering
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Thespian Honor Society, Tri M music honor society, Key Club
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Counselor in training at Camp Kadima, synagogue Torah reader
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Leonardo da Vinci, because of his wide variety of talents and exposure.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Excellent family support without requirements for success. My parents don't stand over me and make sure I do my work. I motivate myself, and my work is my own priority.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: I think the most difficult problem I have had to overcome is my lack of sleep.
PARENTS: Ellie and Dr. Mitchell LeVine of Seminole
For years, Matthew LeVine wrestled with a tough choice: When it came time for college, should he follow his heart and pursue the arts or should he follow his head and major in science?
He was relieved to learn he could do both. A special dual enrollment program will allow him to attend Emory University, where he will study music for three years. Then he will transfer to Georgia Tech, where he will get a degree in science and engineering. His plan will take six years instead of four, but he will emerge from college equipped to follow many paths.
"It's the best of both worlds," he said. "I'm not sure what I'll do with the degrees, but I'm just trying to give myself options."
Matthew's love of the theater drew him to student productions as a freshman and ultimately to his school's Thespian Honor Society. He was too busy with academics this past year to take theater classes, but he stayed in close touch with the department and recently played a lead role in Guys and Dolls.
Getting up before 6 a.m., maintaining a rigorous schedule and staying at school until after 7 p.m. for rehearsals was difficult, but essential for the 18-year-old.
"Being in the IB program, I don't think I could have maintained my sanity if I didn't have an outlet like the theater," he said.
SALUTATORIAN: Hayley Jade Fink
PLANS: To attend Harvard or Princeton universities to major in political science
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society treasurer, Mu Alpha Theta secretary, Academic Team co-captain, French Honor Society co-president, French Club co-president, St. Petersburg High Young Democrats co-founder and co-president, Key Club, Model U.N., Rho Kappa historian, swim team, marching band
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Pinellas County Park board member, Pinellas County Youth Advisory Committee secretary, NAACP Youth Council vice president, Pinellas County Young Democrats historian, hospice teen volunteer, Boyd Hill Nature Park volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., because of his message of peace, equality and tolerance.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Hard work, support from my family and friends, excellent teachers and schools, mentors within the community, and a desire to learn as much as I can.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Shyness
PARENTS: Lisa and Edward Fink of St. Petersburg
Seminole High
VALEDICTORIAN: Jennifer Lewis
PLANS: To attend the University of Florida; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta president, French National Honor Society, Interact
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Horses for Handicapped, beach cleanup, Relay for Life, Bay Pines VA Medical Center volunteer
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because they're always there for me.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Hard work and motivation.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: None
PARENTS: Donna and Edward Lewis of Seminole
While most of her friends are enjoying one last blissful summer before starting school again, Jennifer Lewis will begin her college career at UF. A little apprehensive of the large campus, she figures she'll have a chance to find her way around before most students show up for class in August.
Besides, she figures there's nothing wrong with getting a head start.
"When I went to visit, they said the majority of students, especially those who want to double major, end up staying one summer," she said. "I figured, why not do it my incoming year?"
Jennifer has not chosen a major, but she would like to do something that would be of service to others. She found the volunteer work she did for National Honor Society interesting and gratifying.
"My favorite thing was working in the nursing home at the VA hospital," she said. "I got to talk to the patients. We played games, and I took them for walks on the grounds. Some told stories."
She hopes to continue pursuing her two passions, math and art, when she gets to Gainesville.
"I think they're exact opposites. That's probably why I like both of them," she said. "Math is very specific, but in art, I get to be expressive."
SALUTATORIAN: Julia Fedor PLANS: To attend Northwestern University; major is undecided
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society president, Mu Alpha Theta, senior class vice president, French Honor Society, Student Rights and Responsibilities member
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, beach cleanup, National Honor Society volunteer activities coordinator
HERO OR ROLE MODEL: My parents, because of their patience, support and good work ethic.
THE REASON FOR MY SUCCESS: Self-motivation, hard work and organization.
DIFFICULTIES I'VE OVERCOME: Fortunately, I have not had any major obstacles in life.
