HISTORY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Highlights of 1997-1998

Top of the Class, St. Petersburg Times, October 22, 1997

Congratulations to Laura Noble and Gregg Hilferding on their selection as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholar competition.

Top of the Class, St. Petersburg Times, April 15, 1998

Donnel Cortright was named Student of the Month at Zephyrhills High School. Food Service team member, Betty Murphy was named SRP of the Month and Technology Instructor; Wayne Reutimann was named Teacher of the Month.

Zephyrhills High School students Robin Baldwin and Michele Crowder each won honorable mentions at the Art Write Competition at USF.

Top of the Class, St. Petersburg Times, February 19, 1998

Congratulations to seniors Laura Noble and Jennifer Strickland, who were named co-valedictorians for the class of 1998 at Zephyrhills High School. Strickland also was selected as the Zephyrhills Student of the Year and will compete for District Student of the Year. Kudos also to Nick Peacock, who was named the 1998 Salutatorian at Zephyrhills High.

Top of the Class, St. Petersburg Times, January 7, 1998

Carolyn Young was selected Student of the Month. Winners of the school science fair are Allison Taylor, first place; Melanie Yates, second place; Gregg Hilferding, Best of Show, individual project; Christi Miller and Brittani Back, first-place team project; Maggie McClelland and Allison Powell, second-place team project; and Jimmy and Jennifer Cracchiolo, Best of Show overall.

Bulldogs Finally Bust Out, St. Petersburg Times, by Damian Cristodero, January 9, 1998

Craig Milburn has been saying all season his Zephyrhills High School boy’s basketball team wouldn’t really get on track until January. He might turn out to be right. The Bulldogs, who have been frantically trying to get football players Teon Black, Ryan Pickett and “Boo Boo” McKay into basketball shape, finally exploded Tuesday night, scorching Hudson 101-76 behind McKay’s 8-for-10 shooting from three-point range. Granted, Hudson at 2-15 was not the stiffest test. But for Zephyrhills (3-9 going into Thursday night’s game against Lecanto), which has been so inconsistent, the sight of five players in double figures and a total of 12 three-pointers falling (Black got the other four), was one for sore eyes.

“I’ve been telling the kids from the get-go that with getting the football players so late, December was like a preseason for us,” Milburn said. “January will be the real basketball season.”

McKay’s game finally meshed as well. The senior point guard, who was shooting 44.7 percent (51-for-114) from the field, went 11-for-16 Tuesday and had a team-high 31 points.

“He just had a hot night,” Milburn said. “His shooting has improved tremendously.”

McKay is well above last year’s 39 percent mark. Milburn said that should take some pressure off the usually more consistent Black, since teams won’t be so inclined to collapse on him or sag to the basket and dare McKay to shoot as they did last season.

What Milburn won’t dare say is the game signaled a turnaround in the season. He knows how fast fortunes can change. Last season the Bulldogs were 6-0 before losing star James Howton to injury, and finished 12-15.

“I’d much rather finish strong than finish weak,” Milburn said.

Team records set in Zephyrhills’ victory:

Three-pointers, team, in a game (12).

Three-pointers, individual, in a game (McKay, 8).

Three-pointers, individual, in a quarter (McKay, 4).

It also was the first time since a 102-67 victory over Lecanto in January 1990 that Zephyrhills broke the century mark.

“We still have a long way to go,” Milburn said, “but it was a big lift and the kids were excited.”

Pasco’s leading scorer is center Shawn Tucker, who averages 9.9 points. The next five players are bunched between six and four points, but the team still averages 55.5. It’s all part of coach Willie Broner’s plan of spreading the ball around, especially to the hottest shooter.

Said Broner: “I tell the players, `Here’s a guy that’s made millions and millions of dollars, and here’s another guy just coming up. Now, who would you invest your money with?’ ”

Obviously, the guy with the best jump shot.

Coach Broner knew what he was talking about when he said of Ridgewood, “You just can’t send them to the line.” He could have added: especially in the fourth quarter.

The Rams are shooting 67 percent from the foul line. But that average goes way up in the fourth quarter, in which Ridgewood is shooting a red-hot 78.8 percent (104-for-132).

“We’ve been very fortunate,” coach Gary Anders said, laughing.

“I really can’t draw any conclusions. I’d love to say we have this magic formula. Our kids are pretty relaxed when they get to the line. Whatever they’re doing, they should keep doing it.”

Hudson coach Rick Conn said he and his players have decided to give up on the regular season. That sounds worse than it is. The Cobras have decided to play to their strength. Hurt all season by a lack of height, Hudson has decided to press, press, press both on offense and defense.

“I told them to throw out the record,” Conn said. “We’ll just try to get better, and once you get to the districts, anything can happen.”

The first game under the plan was the loss to Zephyrhills.

“You should have seen it,” Conn said. “We had 30 steals and they probably did too.”

Conn and his wife Luane had their third child Dec. 21, three days ahead of schedule. Richard Bryce Conn was 9 pounds, 3 ounces at birth and joined Morgan, 10, and McKenzie, 5, in the Conn household. “It was nice to have it a few days early so we could be home for Christmas,” Conn said.

Ridgewood’s John Torrisi on Tuesday played his first game at Pasco since blowing out his knee there last season. Asked if that was motivation for his outstanding 28-point, 10-rebound performance in a 67-58 victory, Torrisi shrugged and said, “I didn’t even think about it

Newsmakers, St. Petersburg Times, February 25, 1998

Student Musicians Hit High Notes

Congratulations to the following students from Zephyrhills High School who recently competed in the District 5 Solo and Ensemble Festival at the University of South Florida and will advance to the state festival: Soloists: Dominick D’Alssandro, Alisha Hernandez, Kyla Morse, Elisha Rickard. Duets: Kyla Morse and Elizabeth Russell, Mindy Carter and Sabrina Gilbert, Kyla Morse and Philip Edwards.

Top of the Class, St. Petersburg Times, April 1, 1998

Philip Weaver, an 11th-grader from Zephyrhills High School, was awarded two first-place ribbons at the Florida State Fair. His entries in the Young American Art Exhibit included an oil pastel of a Bengal Tiger and a watercolor painting of three Chicago Bulls players. His other honors have included work featured in local art exhibits, Strawberry Festival, Junior Federal Duck Stamp Competition and other Florida State Fairs.

The following DCT students from Zephyrhills High School, directed by Idel Lane, won certificates or trophies at the recent DCT Awards Ceremony for competitive events held at River Ridge High School: Patty Chavez, fourth place for Food Service; Tony Cimorelli, fourth place for Automotive Technician; Mari McCullough, third place for Cashier; Maria Torres, third place for Recruiting Poster; Amy Troupe, second place for Dental; Kera Sprague, third place for Color Photography; Rodney Wolfe, third place for Computer Concepts. The Academic Team for Zephyrhills High School placed third in a recent district competition. Team members include: Wendy Cuthbertson, Brian Fettig, Jade Ostermann, Sunny Patel, Nick Peacock and Adam Smith. Coach: Elaine Woodard.

Newsmakers, St. Petersburg Times, April 22, 1998

The Central Pasco Optimist Club recently hosted the annual youth speech competition at Pine View Middle School. The topic was “My Commitment to the Future.” The winners of the competition sponsored by Valley Forge Freedom Foundation and Optimist International advance to regional competition in Lake City. Winners of that contest receive a trip to Valley Forge, Pa., and compete for $5,000 scholarships at the national level. Winners in the girls division were: first place, Maggie Barthel, Zephyrhills High; second place, Mamie Wise, Zephyrhills High; and third place, Julie Melton, Weightman Middle. Honorable mention was given to Katie Nebblin of Pine View Middle. Bill Zeranski, Weightman Middle, won first place in the boys division.

Students from Zephyrhills High School recently were inducted into the National Honor Society. Inductees are Robert Aldermane, Anthony Alvarez, Stephan Apel, Amy Baldwin, Felicia Beasley, Erin Brown, Stacy Brown, Misty Campbell, Charles Carroccetto, Danielle Castro, Vanessa Cila, Brett Cimorelli, Michelle Crowder, Tim Dykins, Erika Engh, Vanessa Escobar, Jeremiah Fife, Susan Fike, Jo Ann Fiscus, Janine Gilbert, Elizabeth Greenawait, Deanna Hasenauer, Mike Hazell, Sarah Henning, Mike Jones, Bekha Krishnaraj, Michelle Krystoflak, Nick Linville, Rob Manuelian, Todd Mcleod, Craig Merson, Pamela Moses, Adam Nichols, Michael Pittman, Theresia Purdy, Jennifer Roman, Chelsea Schwab, Shawn Sombutmai, Mike Sonethavilay, Jessica Steve, Kathryn Towle, Rusty Wagner, Angela Walters, Andrea Wardell and Aaron Zmek.

Going Out on Top, St. Petersburg Times, May 27, 1998

Here’s our second installment of the top students from Pasco County. This week, Top of the Class shines the spotlight on the valedictorians and salutatorians from Land O’ Lakes, Pasco and Zephyrhills high schools.

Zephyrhills High

Laura Noble, Valedictorian

GPA: 4.29

Future School: Boston College

Plans: Major in history

Favorite Book: The Deed of Pakennarion, by Elizabeth Moon

Clubs and Interests: Reading; sleeping; band; debate team.

Jennifer Strickland, Valedictorian

GPA: 4.29

Future School: Baylor University

Plans: Pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy or in another medical profession

Favorite book: The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison

Clubs and Interests: Volleyball; basketball; softball; Fellowship of Christian Athletes – president; National Honor Society – President; Key Club; Drama Team; church activities.

Most inspirational person: My youth pastor, David Baxter because of his continual encouragement and wisdom.

Nicholas Peacock, Salutatorian

GPA: 4.26

Future School: University of Florida

Plans: “I plan to major in computer engineering and continue my education through a master’s degree. I want to one day own my own computer company and eventually get into politics.”

Favorite book: Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Clubs and interests: Interact Club; speech and debate team; peer counselor; National Honor Society; Brain Bowl Team; golf; basketball; church youth group; volunteer; part-time job.

Most inspirational person: “My parents are the most inspirational people in my life because they have always sacrificed so much for me and others.”

Graduation, Zephyrhills High -98, St. Petersburg Times, by Logan D. Mabe, June 7, 1998

On a night when everyone stood a little taller, smiled a little more broadly and walked with that little extra bounce in their step, Zephyrhills High School graduated its largest class in school history.

As dusk settled in Friday evening, parking lots within a half-mile radius of the school began filling. From all directions, streams of dressed-up friends and families made their way to the gymnasium for the Bulldogs’ 87th graduation.

By 8 p.m., the packed house was a cross-fire of flashbulbs and camcorders as the seniors filed onto the floor two by two, the procession punctuated by hoots and hollers for popular and accomplished students.

At one point, an entire section of the upper deck rose as if doing the wave to salute Ryan Pickett, a star of the football team who earned a scholarship to Ohio State University.

The party atmosphere continued through principal James T. Davis’ opening remarks and introduction of guests, which included Superintendent of Schools John Long.

Salutatorian Nicholas Peacock got the student-driven ceremony going by thanking God and everyone in the room for their help in seeing the 256 graduates through to the end.

“Now, last but not least, I have to thank the best class, my class, the class of 1998,” Peacock said, his words giving way to a wall of cheers. “It’s been truly an unbelievable four years. I came here knowing a total of four or five people. . . . And it didn’t take me long to realize that I was part of something really great. I’ve been part of a great family.”

The festivity of the ceremony was toned down a notch when Amy Hartwig and Dana Gaffney performed a song called Go Rest On That Mountain in memory of Jeremy Horn, a classmate who was killed in a car crash. Donna Jones, another classmate who died, was also honored.

Senior class president Gregg Hilferding congratulated and saluted his peers. “To the best class of students that has ever passed through these halls,” he said. “Good luck in your future endeavors and good night.”

Davis then passed out awards to select students, including Brian Fettig and Jennifer Strickland, who were honored as the best all- around students in the class.

Strickland was co-valedictorian along with Laura Noble, who urged the students to make a difference in the lives of others through small kindnesses.

“Anybody can be great because anybody can serve,” Noble said, quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

When it was Strickland’s turn to address the class, she urged them to “never stop dreaming.”

Many of the boys, either surprised or relieved to be graduating, pumped their fists into the air or made a raise-the-roof gesture. One did a cartwheel across the floor. And one student, John Mason, did a dead-on Chevy Chase-like stumble and fall that sent the crowd into hysterics.

Gathering himself with a sheepish grin on his face, Mason drew the loudest cheer of the night, which coincided with the whoops for Demetrius “Boo Boo” McKay, who followed Mason.

At the end of the nearly two-hour program, the graduates, who had come in as school children, marched into the muggy night air as adult citizens of a world they have yet to mold.

Number of graduates: 256

National Merit Scholars: Finalist, Laura Noble

Funniest moment: John Mason’s headlong stumble after receiving his diploma

Touching moment: Performance of Go Rest On That Mountain in memory of classmates who died

Best quote: “Never stop dreaming.” – co-valedictorian Jennifer Strickland

Loudest cheer: John Mason’s prank, again

Girls Medalist Wins with Four of A Kind, St. Petersburg Times, by Steve Lee, June 13, 1998

There are good and bad rounds in golf, but Naree Wongluekiet might argue otherwise after her steady play in the North Florida PGA Maxfli Junior Championships.

Wongluekiet, of Bradenton, was a model of consistency in the two- day event at Scotland Yards that concluded Friday. She shot 35s for the front and back nines on consecutive days to win the girls 14-15 age division and medalist honors. That 70-70-140 score qualified Wongluekiet for the PGA National Championships to be held in mid- August in West Palm Beach.

“It’s short, but it is very tough,” Wongluekiet said of the Dade City-based golf course. “The greens are pretty narrow.”

Orlando’s Patrick Norris, the boy’s medalist who won the 16-17 brackets by shooting 74-72-146, also qualified for the PGA National Championships. He made three birdies, including a six-inch putt on the 11th hole to go two up on Brad Stainsby and James Taylor Jr. Those two tied Rick Francis for second at 151.

“It was pressure just knowing I had to make a birdie,” Norris said.

Zephyrhills High’s Chris Black turned in the best round among local golfers. Playing in his first non-high school event, Black finished in a three-way tie for sixth at 80-78-158.

Zephyrhills’ Tracy Negoshian, a district runner-up and All- Sunshine Athletic Conference golfer this season, placed third in the Girls 16-18 by shooting 183.

Richard McLellan, a 1969 Zephyrhills graduate who lives in Tallahassee, came to watch his son, Ryan, play in the tournament. Ryan shot 159 in Boys 14-15.

“I wish they had all this when I was in school,” the elder McLellan said. “This gets kids ready for college golf. When you go to college you play tournaments like this. You’ve got to get used to that two-to-three day grind of tournament-type matches.”

Pickett Earns Qualifying Score, St. Petersburg Times, by Jamal Thalji, June 27, 1998

Never doubt Ryan Pickett.

The star 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle from Zephyrhills High School said he would forgo playing in Florida and instead commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes, and he did.

The Times All-Suncoast Defensive Player of the Year needed to raise his grade point average to a 2.5 to be eligible for a scholarship, and he did. He earned a 3.8 in his last semester to finish with a 2.65.

The USA Today and Parade All-American said he would dominate his opponents at the 14th annual Florida-Georgia game June 20 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and he did. Pickett led the Florida defense with nine tackles, a sack, two quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery.

But more importantly, Pickett said he would earn a passing score on his third try at the SAT, his final attempt to qualify academically.  And he did.

Pickett got the good news Thursday morning in the mail, when he learned he had scored an 890 on the exam, 70 points more than the 820 he needed to qualify academically.

He fell just 10 points short of qualifying academically on his last SAT attempt.

“I knew I would pass it,” Pickett said. “I wasn’t worried about it.”

Well, not exactly.

“Okay, I was worried a little bit,” he said. “But I knew I would pass. I had confidence in myself.”

So did his family.

“They’re excited it finally happened,” Pickett said. “All of them knew I was going to do it.”

With that behind him, Pickett can get back to business: training in the off-season to get ready for football, buying clothes and supplies for his freshman year at college and . . . watching TV?

“Yeah, I’m just taking it easy now,” Pickett said. “I’m relaxed now. I’m just watching TV and been trying to get different stuff ready for school.”

Soon, though, he’ll be back at work, conditioning himself for the rigors of Division I college football. He’ll have help.

“I’ve got a workout schedule,” Pickett said. “I’ve got to be up at 6 a.m. (two days a week) to run two miles a day. My (older) brother, Rubin, and cousin, Damien, will be running with me.”

After that, he’ll be spending all day in the weight room adhering to a strict workout program formulated by the Ohio State coaching staff. He will have weekends off, though.

Ohio State is certainly excited about Pickett. The Florida-Georgia game was must-see TV for Buckeyes alumni, who wouldn’t stop calling coach John Cooper after watching Pickett wreak havoc. Cooper called Pickett at home after the game to tell him how much excitement he had generated.

Pickett’s prolific senior season only raised his stock. He had 134 tackles (94 solo), 4 sacks and 21 stops behind the line of scrimmage while filling in at linebacker and led the Zephyrhills Bulldogs to a 10-2 record and the playoffs. But defensive tackle is his natural position, and he was one of the nation’s most highly sought recruits at that spot.

Pickett reports to Ohio State Aug. 10 for the first day of football practice. He plans to major in business. And he said he has no regrets about his decision to play so far from home. He even has a Rottweiler puppy the family dubbed Buckeye.

“I just liked the place, the people, the school, the players,” Pickett said.

Two Weeks Home From the Desert, St. Petersburg Times, by Molly Moorhead, January 14, 2004

Sean Woods is sworn to secrecy about where in Iraq he has been stationed for the past nine months. But word is out that the 24- year-old Army specialist is home for a couple of weeks.

A neighbor plans to throw a block party for him Saturday, and eight of his nine siblings will be home during his leave.

Then on Jan. 24, it’s back to the desert.

Woods doesn’t mind. He was deployed from April to early January, and he has a little more than two months left to serve in Iraq before he returns to his post in the United States.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Woods said. “I’m doing my job, and I love what I’m doing.”

Woods, a 1998 graduate of Zephyrhills High School, enlisted in the Army in 2001, just a month before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

While stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., he didn’t expect he would be sent into combat.

“I never did,” he said. “But with our training, we’re always ready for it.”

He learned about three months ahead of time that his unit, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, would be sent to help oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. They left April 4.

After a stop in Kuwait, his unit arrived in Iraq, in an undisclosed location. Woods can’t say much about his missions. But life in war has been intense.

“Everyone has been in these nice places,” he said of other American soldiers. “We got a real-world mission going on right now.”

On Christmas Day, Woods stood for several hours on a checkpoint. He was provided a good dinner, he said, but that was it for the celebrating.

So the Christmas tree still stands in the living room of the Woods home. Pictures of the 10 children cover nearly every inch of wall space.

Sean’s mother, Donna, is new to the worries of a soldier’s family. Her fifth child is the only one in the armed forces.

“It’s a scary thing because you don’t hear immediately,” about soldiers being injured or killed, she said. “You just have to have a lot of faith.”

Sean, who played football in high school and worked as a lifeguard at Saint Leo University, received lots of care packages from his family and people from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. His favorite gift: jerky.

“It’s so good,” he said. “It never spoils.”

He had access to e-mail and a satellite phone, which kept his homesickness to a minimum. He called his girlfriend, Michele, in Oklahoma almost every night and worked on assignments for his online anatomy class through Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia.

Mostly, though, he tried to stay focused on the task before him.

“We’re there to do a job. We kind of tune out everything that you hear negative,” he said. “You have a different outlook when you’re deployed. You really grow up pretty quick.”

Pasco County Yields 24 Qualifying State Science Fair Projects, St. Petersburg Times, February 18, 1997

Twenty-six youths will take 24 projects to state competition after placing in 14 categories at the Pasco Regional Science Fair on Saturday.

Students from private and public schools competed in the fair at River Ridge Middle/High School.

State qualifiers are: Elizabeth Sheridan, Bishop Larkin Catholic School; Kelly Miller, Bayonet Point Middle School; Aubrey Hankins, Jay Leaders, Jessica Bowden, Mavlin Patel, Hilary Caron, Ashley Bartlett, Kathleen Cummings, all of Hudson Middle; Marisa Cefalo-Cox and Elizabeth Warfel, Pasco Middle; Brian Rabelo, Julia Grassin, Shruthi Korupolu and Jonathan Bowen, Ridgewood High; and Cheryl Maughan, Javier Lopez, Vincent Chow, Anisha Patel, Laura Westley, River Ridge High; Samuel Dykins, Cathy Jacobs, Jennifer Cracchiolo, James Cracchiolo, Melanie Bowman and Gregg Hilferding, Zephyrhills High.

’96 Zephyrhills Bulldogs Football Schedule, Pasco News, Thursday, September 5, 1996, page 5B

August 30, 16996 Lakeland-Lake Gibson—Home

September 6, 1996—New Port Richey-Ridgewood-Away

September 13, 1996—Tampa Jesuit—Away

September 20, 1996—Spring Hill-Springstead—Away

September 27, 1996—Seminole-Osceloa—Home

October 4, 1996—New Port Richey—River Ridge—Away

October 11, 1996—Tampa-Robinson—Home

October 18, 1996 Open

October 25, 1996—Dade City—Pasco—Away

November 1, 1996—Land O’Lakes—Home

November 8, 1996—Hudson—Homecoming

November 15, 1996—New Port Richey—Gulf—Home

’96 Zephyrhills Varsity Football Roster

Top of the Class, St. Petersburg Times, October 1, 1997

Laura Noble, Zephyrhills High School honor student, is a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition. The school’s JROTC unit has again earned the designation of Honor Unit With Distinction. This is the fourth time they have been singled out for excellence. Pasco-Hernando Community College adviser Bridgette Scarborough Briggs will be at the Zephyrhills High School campus Oct. 9 and 23 and on Nov. 20 and Dec. 11. She will advise students on career planning, transfer credits, dual enrollment, admissions and more.

Zephyrhills High School 1997 Scholarships Awarded, Pasco News—Zephyrhills Edition, June 5, 1997, By Mary Harman

A special assembly was held Friday morning, May 30, in the Zephyrhills auditorium for the awarding of scholarships and special awards, to the 1997 Senior Class.

A prelude by the ZHS Band under the direction of Paul Steuart opened the program followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mrs. Elise Hanna introduced Principal James “Jim” Davis who stated that the scholarship monies received by the class of 1996 was well over $800,000 with $30,000 being presented by local clubs, organizations and businesses, after which the 1997 Class President Kevin Barry presented the 197 Class Gift to Mr. Davis. This gift can be seen on the walls of the entrance to ZHS. Kevin also presented a ZHS class ring to Russian exchange student, Gueorgui Tchekhovski.

Mr. Davis presented the 1997 class Salutatorian Tazia Stagg and class Valedictorian Charles Garrod each an award to add to the numerous awards they have received in the past month. Mr. Davis followed by presenting the ZHS Outstanding Student Award to Eric Beasely, followed by the presentation of the Channel 10 Students of the Month at ZHS who each received a certificate.

Mrs. Hanna introduced the 34 National Honor Society graduates, Amanda Baldwin, James Carpenter, Rebecca Craft, Tim Delgado, Charlie Demosthenous, Chad Denman, Shelby Denman, Erin Dodd, Jennifer Dubay, Ryan Dye, and Kim Ezzo. Also Rhone Fraser, Jennifer Fritz, Charles Garrod, Jason Grzywna, Casey Hewlett, Angelica Kelley, Holly May, Beverly McQuay, Jason Moss, Ujjwal Patel, Polly Perkins.

Followed by Julia Philip’s, Stephanie Porter, Cara Rodgers, Dena Rogers, Matte Sellers, Michael Sinatra, Tania Stag, Julie Sumangpang, Sonia Thompson, Melissa Vandergriff, Jason Wise and Jessie Wu, This was followed by the National Merit Scholar Awards presented to Sonia Thompson and Michael Sinatra.

Those candidates receiving the Florida Undergraduate Scholars Medallions were Amber Cox, Jennifer Dubay, Ryan Dye, Rhone Frasier, Jennifer Fritz, Charles Garrod, Jason Grzywna, Casey Hewlett, Kristen Lasher, Matti Sellars, Michael Sinatra, Tazia Stagg, Sonia Thompson and Jason Wise. Mrs. Hanna continued by presenting the Gold Seal Endorsement Scholarship Candidates, Benjamin Ashmore, Tori Avery, David Belcher, Gerard Broeders, James Carpenter, Jessica Combs, Rebecca Craft, Emilee Lewis, Craig Livingston, Sarah Miller, John Partain, Purvi Patel, Julie Philippus, Carly Phillips, Heather Poulin, Lauren Robinson, Cara Rodgers, Ruth Springer, Courtney Sullivan, Julie Sumagpang and Melissa Vandergriff.

Mrs. Hanna followed by presenting the Pride awards which went to students who kept a 3.5 average over four years in the subjects of social studies, journalism, science and math. For excellence in science and math were Tazia Stagg, Sonia Thompson, Rhone Frasier, and Casey Hewlett. For excellence in science were Jennifer Fritz, Sonia Thompson, and Deena Rogers. In social studies was Amber Cox. In science and social studies was Michael Sinatra. In writing was Cara Rodgers. In mathematics was Charles Garrod. Straight A Certificates were awarded to 24 students including seniors Charles Garrod and Casey Hewlett.

Mr. Davis presented the Principal’s Scholarship to Eric Beasley and the Keith Sampson Memorial Scholarship to Everett Wilson. The Pasco-Hernando Community College representative presented an $800 Scholarship to Shirley Morris and a full PHCC Scholarship of approximately $800 per year to the following members of the Top Ten Percent: James Carpenter, Charlie Demosthenous, Chad Denman, Shelby Denman, Jennifer Dubay, Ryan Dye, Kimberly Ezzo, Rhone Fraser, Jennifer Fritz, Charles Garrod, Laura Heon, Casey Hewlett, Holly May, Jason Moss, Stephanie Porter, Cara Rodgers, Deena Rodgers, Matti Sellars, Michael Sinatra, Tazia Stagg, Sonia Thompson, Melissa Vandergriff, Jason Wise and Jessie Wu.

The recipients of the two $1,000 Tampa Technical Institute Scholarships were Jarmyn Logan and Leah Aaseng and the $16,380 Scholarship, Toni Stephens. Heritage Arts Center Association Scholarship of $250 was received by Ayako Tanaka. The $300 Pasco County Association of Education Office Professional Scholarship was received by James Carpenter.

The Zephyrhills Lions Club presented five Scholarships of $500 to Kenneth Schultz, Jennifer Fritz, Shelby Denman, Emilee Lewis, and Deena Rogers. The Alumni Association Scholarship Association presented two scholarships of $200 each to Cara Rodgers and Courtney Sullivan. Rotary Club of Zephyrhills presented two $1,000 scholarships to Elizabeth Alair and Jennifer Fritz and a $500 Raymond B. Stewart Scholarship to Benjamin Ashmore, a $1,000 Athletic Scholarship to Jason Gryzwna, and a $3,000 Opportunity Scholarship to Angelica Kelley.  Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary presented a $600 scholarship to Michael Soule. The Zephyrhills Kiwanis Club presented two scholarships of $1,000 each to Benjamin Ashmore, Emilee Lewis and a $500 scholarship to Cara Rodgers.

The Donna Jones Memorial Award Scholarship was presented to Charlie Demosthenous. Mrs. Loraine Jones also presented a plaque to the class of 1998 in memory of her daughter and two others who would have graduated in 1998. Casey Hewlett received $250 from Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship, Gamma Chi Chapter and Kimberly Ezzo received the $300 American Business Women’s Scholarship. The Moose Lodge presented four Scholarships of $1,000 each to James Carpenter, Deena Rogers, Jason Wise and Stephanie Porter along with the $1,000 Scholarship from the Ladies of the Moose received by Jennifer Asbel.

The first New River Methodist Church $1,000 Scholarship was awarded to Polly Perkins. The Teens for Christ Club $500 Scholarship went to Emilee Lewis. Women’s Club of Zephyrhills presented two Scholarships of $500 to Elizabeth Alair and Stephanie Porter. The Walmart $1,000 Scholarship was presented to James Carpenter and the Smith’s Pool Supply Scholarship of $500 to David Belcher. The Nick Nichols Memorial Scholarship was presented to Matti Sellars. The Pilot Club Scholarship of $1,000 was presented to Melanie Moore.

Withlacoochee River Electric Coop, Inc. presented seven Scholarships of $500 for first semester, renewable for each semester up to $4,000 each to Elizabeth Alair, Kathryn Berman, Jason Geiger, Angelica Kelley, Jay Krause, Kenneth Schultz, and Jason Wise.

The Board of Realtors $200 scholarship was awarded to Polly Perkins and the Interact Club Scholarships were awarded to Jennifer Fritz and Charlie Demosthenous. The Student Council Scholarship went to Deena Rogers. The Merrill Miller Fine Arts Award and the Band Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kenneth Schultz. The United States Army Reserve Scholarship recipients were Pfc. Richard Darling, Pfc. William O’Steen and Pfc. Clint Dornquast and the United Army Reserve Athletic Awards were received by Eric Beasley and Sonia Thompson. The Tampa Tribune Athletic Scholarship of $1,000 was presented to Deena Rogers. Two James A. Marlow Scholarships of $1,000 each went to Deena Rogers and Jennifer Fritz. Chad Denman received the $5,000 Up With People Scholarship.

Recognition was made of the 12 $500 Athletic Booster Club Scholarship Awards given on May 21. The T.C. Carr Musical Scholarship recipient was Michael Soule. The Chappie James Most Promising Teacher Scholarship went to Kenneth Schultz. The Sons of the American Revolution Scholarship went to Shelby Denman. Other Scholarships recently awarded were the FFA Alumni Scholarship and the Randy Spivey Award.

Friday morning also brought the following awards: Air force Science Award to Ryan Dye; ZHS Christian Athlete of the Year Award to Brian Fettig; Athlete of the Year-Male to Eric Beasley; Female Athlete of the Year—Jennifer Strickland; Shannon Neumann Memorial Safe Driving Award by the Pilot Club of Zephyrhills to Shannon Thompson.  Journalism Award to Sonia Thompson and Deena Rogers. Best Sports Editor in Pasco County for 1997 to Timothy Delgado. Best Editor in Pasco County to Casey Hewlett. Outstanding Student in English Award to Casey Hewlett. Outstanding Math Award to Charles Garrod. Outstanding Business Student Award to Laura Heon. Outstanding Accounting Student Award to Carly Phillips. Outstanding Science Award to Kathy Jacobs. Outstanding Achievement in Science Award to Sonia Thompson and Rhone Frasier. Spanish Award to Jared Ali.

Continuing the Perfect Attendance award was presented to several students including Senior, Sonia Thompson with four years of perfect attendance. Special Recognition Award-Adult Education to Edgar Torres and Adam Wilkes. Turn Around to Nate German, ending with Outstanding Visual Student Award to Gueorgui Tchekhovski.