The Wharton High Class of 2025 will walk across the stage at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall on Thursday, May 29, where they will toss their caps and officially leave high school behind.
Before they go, however, the future graduates are participating in many traditions and lots of “lasts,” such as the last exam, the last day of school and one last ceremony to recognize the most outstanding among a sea of successful students.
Wharton’s Senior Awards Ceremony was held on May 7, where the top students in academics were honored and dozens of students were recognized by individual departments for being the outstanding student in a variety of subjects – everything from math to physical education to art.
The ceremony included recognition of the school’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian, along with the other eight students who round out the school’s top 10 by weighted grade point average (GPA). They are:
1. Shruti Mishra, Valedictorian (right in top left photo), with a GPA of 8.3082. Shruti will attend the University of Florida to study Computer Science.
2. Ananda Ravinder, Salutatorian (left in top left photo), with a GPA of 7.6767. Ananda will attend the University of South Florida (USF) to study Data Science.
3. Ayush Patel
4. Samantha Leyva Suarez
5. Radhika Dhanpat
6. Sean Kwon
7. Jesus Contreras*
8. Aaron Wonderley
9. Gavin Raitt*
10. Nishtha Hirapara
Twelve students will leave Wharton High with perfect unweighted GPAs of 4.0. Of those 12, only two are among the school’s top-10 students listed above — Jesus Contreras and Gavin Raitt. The other 4.0 unweighted GPA graduates are Gina Cocchiola, Shriya Patnaik, Marisol Peak, Isabella Pena, Danielle Pliego, Brady Quinn, Andria Santhosh, Dylan Stamper, Kayla Strocchio and Abigail Welsh earned nothing less than an “A” in all of their high school classes.
Margaret Alma (at right in photo right) was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student. Of the 1.3 million students who took the PSAT screening exam, only about 34,000 students nationally (2.6%) were recognized with this honor.
Several scholarships were awarded by the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). Each of the scholarships required an application, essay and letter of recommendation. A volunteer committee reviewed the submitted applications with all personal information redacted and scholarships were awarded to the highest-scoring students.
Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera presented two of the scholarships, including a new one introduced this year called the PTSA CTE (Career & Technical Education) Award, specifically to honor students pursuing a vocational career after graduation.
“The CTE scholarship was something I introduced this year because I am passionate about the trades,” said Shannon Briones, PTSA president. “Our winner completely embodied the concept behind the scholarship, as someone who was taking one of the great trade classes offered at Wharton, finding that passion, and then going on to pursue that trade at the next level at a local school in our community.”
Christian Perna (with Viera in photo above ) earned a $1,000 award towards his upcoming enrollment at Erwin Technical College, where he will continue studying culinary arts, as he did at Wharton. Christian was recognized as a consistent leader in both the kitchen and the classroom, graduating with a GPA of 4.6 and having won a local baking competition.
“It’s great to celebrate the 4.0 students and the valedictorian,” said Briones, “and also great to celebrate those who are the service professionals you hire for your home and car, and who work in the restaurants and shops. That’s what makes the community.” She said she is excited that the PTSA will continue to offer the CTE scholarship next year.
Viera also presented the Radiance Orthodontics Community Service Award to Abigail Alt (at right in photo with Viera). This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the community, regardless of GPA, but Abigail achieved both with a weighted GPA of 6.6 and more than 120 hours logged serving others through local organizations such as Tampa Parks & Recreation, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Bay Chapel Food Pantry, Relay for Life and others. She will attend the University of South Florida and pursue a career in pediatric nursing.
Four additional PTSA scholarships were presented by HCPS School Board Chair Jessica Vaughn to outstanding students.
Samantha Leyva Suarez (right in left photo with Vaughn), who earned a weighted GPA of 7.60 and was honored through the National Hispanic Recognition Program, will attend USF to pursue a degree in medicine.
Lucas Sauer, who demonstrated a commitment to academics, community service and athletics as captain of the Wharton baseball team, will attend Greensboro College to pursue a degree in sports management. Samantha and Lucas each earned $500.
Michael Jensen (at right in right photo with Vaughn), who excelled in academics and was captain of the golf team will attend Mississippi State University in Starkville in the school’s PGA Golf Management program.
Adrianna Castillo, who is graduating with a GPA of 6.41 and served as senior class president, will attend Florida State University in Tallahassee to pursue a degree in health sciences. Michael and Adrianna each received $250.
Wharton principal Taryn Anello presented her “Turnaround Award” to Adolfo Castillo (below left) and “Golden Wildcat” awards to Cyron Gray (bottom center photo) and Gabriella Hawkins (bottom right).
Congratulations to these outstanding students and the entire Wharton class of 2025!
Congratulations to the graduating classes of 2025! For those in our community graduating from college, high school, or even kindergarten or preschool, it’s an exciting time to look forward and chase your dreams. At Wesley Chapel’s four public high schools, hundreds of students are anticipating tossing their caps and moving on to the next phase of life, whether it’s further education or starting their careers. This includes the first-ever graduating class at the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, which opened for the 2022-23 school year with just freshman and sophomores. We salute these top students at each of our Wesley Chapel public high schools and say congratulations to you and all of the graduates!
Cypress Creek High
1. Anastasia Herzek
GPA: 4.7143
Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society (NHS), American Sign Language Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Clemson Summer Scholars, Game Master at Arcanum Escape Room
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Chemistry
Best thing about high school: Making connections with friends and staff at Cypress Creek.
2. Daniel Garcia
GPA: 4.7000
Clubs/Activities: Science National Honor Society, NHS, Custodial Service with Robotics team, Volunteer at pharmacy, Work at Kohls & Publix
College planning to attend: University of Central Florida
Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering
Best thing about high school: Being able to see my friends!
3. Nico Gust
GPA: 4.6780
Clubs/Activities: NHS, McDonald’s, Raising Cane’s, Martial Arts (black belt), Model UN, Crochet Club, National Merit Scholarship Finalist
College planning to attend: University of North Florida
Planned major or future career: Marine Biology
Best thing about high school: Being done!
4. Keira Lefebvre
GPA: 4.6885
Clubs/Activities: Track, Cross Country, NHS, Science National Honor Society, Volunteer at AdventHealth, Insurance Marketing Associate, Crochet Club, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Chemistry
Best thing about high school: Hanging out with my friends.
5. Marisa Morales
GPA: 4.6275
Clubs/Activities: Volunteered at Pasco County Animal shelter, Volunteer at Pasco Schools, Clemson summer scholar, NHS, NSHS, HOSA
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Biochemistry
Best thing about high school: My friends
6. Cristina Dima
GPA: 4.6146
Clubs/Activities: Author & illustrator of a children’s book, Elem. school volunteer at library, Bioengineering research program (Clemson Summer Scholars), NHS, HOSA, Hillsborough State Park Halloween Event Volunteer
College planning to Attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Biological Sci.
Best thing about high school: My friends
7. Hannah Hershey
GPA: 4.6019
Clubs/Activities: Student Government, Treasurer of Spirit Club, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy, National Honor Society, Volleyball, Job at Chicken Salad Chick & Pack Leader
College planning to attend: Univ. of Central Florida
Planned major or future career: Accounting
Best thing about high school: Meeting new people and making connections.
8. Diana Le
GPA: 4.5673
Clubs/Activities: Lady Coyote Engineering, Vietnamese language tutor, part-time retail job
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Accounting
Best thing about high school: The community.
9. Camryn Paradise
GPA: 4.5600
Clubs/Activities: NHS, National English Honor Society, spirit club, Science NHS, Spanish NHS, Club volleyball, Volleyball
College planning to attend: Clemson University
Planned major or future career: Business; minor in Biology
Best thing about high school: Being involved with clubs and organizations and putting events together especially (my favorite) pep rallies!
10. Jacob Sheldon
GPA: 4.5510
Clubs/Activities: National English Honor Society, Book Club, Art Club, Reading/Writing, Poetry, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Weightlifting
College planning to attend: University of Central Florida
Planned major or future career: Neuroscience
Best thing about high school: The unique personalities and people that I got to know over the years. My friends mean so much to me.
Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation
1. Diana Bisekeeva
GPA: 4.59
Clubs/Activities: GPS Robotics (VEX & FIRST Team), Founder & Pres. of ResuPrep, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, GPS Connect Outreach Founder & Pres., R:ED Robotics Education Software Engineer Intern, Mediacube UI/UX Designer Intern, The TCK Times Founder & Editor-in-Chief, NHS President, Science NHS, Women of Tomorrow, Math Peer Tutor, Varsity Tennis
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Industrial & Systems Engineering
Best thing about high school: The connections you build with your peers.
2. Sarah Streeter
GPA: 4.34
Clubs/Activities: Editor-in-Chief of yearbook, Officer of FFA, SGA representative, Dual Enrollment Student
College planning to attend: Georgia State University
Planned major or future career: Neurology (pre-med)
Best thing about high school: The opportunity to connect with your peers and enjoy your youth together in one place.
3. Nolan Correa
GPA: 4.46
Clubs/Activities: Volunteer at Star Academy
College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College
Planned major or future career: Radiology
Best thing about high school: The overall freedom that you have.
4. Rudra Patel
GPA: 4.40
Clubs/Activities: Chess Club, math tutor, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation News
College planning to attend: Florida Polytechnic University
Planned major or future career: Computer or Cybersecurity Engineering
Best thing about high school: The people you meet.
5. Giovanni Ventilato
GPA: 4.40
Clubs/Activities: Health & Fitness Club, Church activities
College planning to attend: University of South Florida
Planned major or future career: Aerospace engineering
Best thing about high school: Having a good amount of freedom.
6. Donovan Arteaga
GPA: 4.55
Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society member, Flower power club member
College planning to attend: University of South Florida
Planned major or future career: Chemical engineering
Best thing about high school: The friends you make and the people you meet.
7. Alexi Sanchez
GPA: 4.49
Clubs/Activities: NHS, Volunteer at Marine Corps League & Special Olympics, initiated a program to promote oral health to underprivileged children, participated in World Stride Educational Travel-STEM & Cultural Immersion program, dual enrollment student at Pasco Hernando State College, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Biology (pre-med)
Best thing about high school: Hanging out with friends.
8. Jansen Warren
GPA: 4.34
Clubs/Activities: Volunteering at Kirkland Ranch K-8
College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College
Planned major or future career: Computer Science
Best thing about high school: Spending time with friends.
9. Camden Chase
GPA: 4.42
Clubs/Activities: Soccer, Student Government Vice President, NHS Officer, Health and Fitness Club Member, Dual Enrollment Student
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Finance
Best thing about high school: Figuring out what you want to do in the future.
College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College
Planned major or future career: Business
Best thing about high school: The ability to branch off and learn more about yourself.
11. Dalyn Brown
GPA: 4.54
Clubs/Activities: Dual Enrollment Student at Pasco Hernando State College, earned Associate of Arts, Track & Field Athlete, Volunteer: AdventHealth, Employed Student, National Future Medical Leaders Conference, National Society of High Scholars
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Pre-Med/ Biomedical Sciences
Best thing about high school: The friendships and company you keep, along with the memories you make, define your journey through these four years.
College planning to attend: University of South Florida
Planned major or future career: Biomedical science/neuroscience Pre-Health USF
Best thing about high school: All the friends I made and the labs I participated in at KRAI’s Biomedical Science program.
13. Tessa Mast
GPA: 3.92 (unweighted)
Clubs/Activities: Bowling
College planning to attend: University of Central Florida
Planned major or future career: Business (pre-accounting)
Best thing about high school: Getting real-world experiences and skills through the programs at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.
Wesley Chapel High School
Wesley Chapel High’s Top-10 Graduating Seniors are (l.-r.) Caique Santos-Silva, Sean Donahue, Luiza Guryeva, Maya Almodovar, Pierre-Etienne Boisvert, Erin McDermott, Filipp Ramsey, Nikki Watson and Ming Yang. Not pictured here: Luanna Mineiro De Souza. (Group photo provided by Wesley Chapel High)
1. Sean Donahue, Valedictorian
GPA: 4.7213
Clubs/Activities: Eagle Scout, Debate Club Co-founder, IPPF Policy Debate, Lacrosse, SAT & Elementary Tutor, NHS Vice President, AP Capstone Diploma
College planning to attend: Yale University
Planned major or future career: Computer Sci.
Best thing about high school: Away games with the lacrosse team
2. Pierre-Etienne Boisvert, Salutatorian
GPA: 4.71
Clubs/Activities: Taught myself how to program and make video games, AP Capstone Diploma
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Physics
Best thing about high school: How much I was able to test my own skills and limits, pushing myself further and further every day to accomplish goals.
3. Luanna Mineiro De Souza
GPA: 4.68
Clubs/Activities: Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment
College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College’s Nursing Program
Planned major/future career: Nurse Anesthetist
Best thing about high school: Going to volleyball and football games with my friends and enjoying the school spirit!
4. Filipp Ramsey
GPA: 4.67
Clubs/Activities: Programming/Game development, AP Capstone Diploma
College planning to attend: USF
Planned major or future career: Computer sci.
Best thing about high school: Opportunity to learn alongside some of the smartest and hardest-working students I have met.
5. Caique Santos-Silva
GPA: 4.65
Clubs/Activities: VP of WCHS Business & Finance Club, Secretary of NHS, Secretary of Science NHS, FCA Member, Varsity Lacrosse, AP Capstone Diploma, Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment
College planning to attend: University of Florida Honors
Planned major or future career: Business Administration or Accounting
Best thing about high school: Meeting all my friends and the staff. I continuously grew as a person, and so did those around me. I found people who pushed me to improve and held me accountable in all the things I do. I doubt that I would be who I am now without all those who kept me laughing, smiling and working hard.
6. Maya Almodovar
GPA: 4.63
Clubs/Activities: Dance teacher, tutor, receptionist, barista, Rho Kappa (president), NEHS (vice president) & NEHS (member), Earned my Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Civil Rights Lawyer
Best thing about high school: Having the opportunity to attend USF my senior year.
7. Nikki Watson
GPA: 4.62
Clubs/Activities: Golf (First Tee team and players club), Band, including marching band as drum major and playing flute, wind ensemble playing flute and piccolo, and concert band playing trumpet, NHS, Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Biology with a specialization in Biotechnology
Best thing about high school: Finding a ‘family’ in the band and also finding who I really am through all of my experiences. Making it as drum major in my senior year, and making friends with everyone. Everyone is growing in life just like you, so you can always find people that you connect with.
8. Ming Yang
GPA: 4.62
Clubs/Activities: Clean Earth Club, National Honors Society, Tennis AP Capstone Diploma
College planning to attend: University of Pennsylvania or Brown University
Planned major or future career: Physics
Best Thing About High School: The amazing people I met, both peers and teachers, that made school enjoyable.
9. Erin McDermott
GPA: 4.608
Clubs/Activities: Club Gymnastics, NHS, Wesley Chapel Dance Program, AP Capstone Diploma, Anne Frank Humanitarian Award
College planning to attend: United States Air Force Academy
Planned major or future career: Biology/Pre- Health Professions. I plan to become a Flight Surgeon.
Best thing about high school: Meeting all of my best friends.
10. Luiza Guryeva
GPA: UW: 3.98/ W: 4.56
Clubs/Activities: ResuPrep Startup Founder & CEO, Florida Founder & Executive of Active Hearts Association, GPS Robotics Business Lead for FIRST Competition, author of Comparative Case Study on Immigrant Entrepreneurship, Market Research Website & Analysis Report Creator, Founder and President of Business & Finance Club, Team Leader & Strategy Coordinator for Wharton Global Investment Competition, Calaton Systems Business Development Manager Trainee, Varsity Tennis, AP Capstone Diploma
College planning to attend: Georgetown University
Planned major or future career: Finance
Best thing about high school: Hospital visits with the Active Hearts Association club.
Wiregrass Ranch High School
Wiregrass Ranch High’s High’s Top-16 Graduating Seniors are (l.-r.) L to R: Vedanti Patel, Sydney Ficks, Nicholas Kovacs, Vishnu Araveeti, Daniel Cheng, Rohit Naras, Tristan Pasquale, Ian Kim, Austin McCallister, Jack Flanary, Aubrey McKeon, Nicollette Watson, Brenden Brewer, Vera Zheng, Darren Lin & Hunter Paladio. (Group photo provided by Wiregrass Ranch
1. Austin McCallister, Valedictorian
GPA: 4.75
Clubs/Activities: Science Olympiad
College planning to attend: Georgia Institute of Technology
Planned major or future career: Computer Engineering
Best thing about high school: Mr. Cuviello’s and Mr. Cordero’s science labs.
2. Nicholas Kovacs, Salutatorian
GPA: 4.7302
Clubs/Activities: Studying, focusing on academics
College planning to attend: USF
Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering
Best thing about high school: Meeting people. If I hadn’t attended high school, I wouldn’t have met all these other bright students. I am hoping we can all stay in contact.
3. Ian Kim
GPA: 4.69
Clubs/Activities: Science Fair, Science Olympiad, Orchestra, Mu Alpha Theta, FBLA, Tri-M, Science National Honor Society
College planning to attend: California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Planned major or future career: Electrical Engineering
Best thing about high school: Hanging out with friends and Mr. Cordero in AP Physics every day.
4. Daniel Cheng
GPA: 4.6897
Clubs/Activities: Future Business Leaders of America, Cybersecurity Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Piano, Volunteer at MD Oriental Market
College Planning to Attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Computer Science or Computer Engineering
Best Thing about High School: Collecting memories, not just homework.
5. Vishnu Araveeti
GPA: 4.6639
Clubs/Activities: FBLA, Science Olympiad; I also ran a commerce business.
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Data science/ Computer Science
Best thing about high school: Having great teachers to learn from and creating many friends.
6. Aubrey McKeon
GPA: 4.6591
Clubs/Activities: Tutored for math & science honors societies, leadership in music honors society, 9 years of choir, FMEA’s All-State Chorus, member of the Science Olympiad team
College planning to attend: University of Central Florida
Planned major or future career: Aerospace Engineering
Best thing about high school: Friends and relationships you create along the way.
7. Rohit Naras
GPA: 4.6604
Clubs/Activities: FBLA, Science Olympiad, Varsity Tennis, Research
College planning to attend: Georgia Institute of Technology
Planned major or future career: Computer engineering, hopes to start my own tech company
Best thing about high school: Having genuine fun with my friends inside & outside of the classroom.
8. Darren Lin
GPA: 4.6346
Clubs/Activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, FBLA, Asian Association &Allies, Amnesty Int’l.
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering
Best thing about high school: It’s a great place to meet good people who share your values
9. Vera Zheng
GPA: 4.6296
Clubs/Activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, FBLA, Asian Association & Allies, Amnesty Int’l.
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Computer Science
Best thing about high school: Getting to find new friends and hanging out with them.
10. Krish Patel
GPA: 4.6207
Clubs/Activities: SHNS tutoring, FBLA, HOSA & Key Club, Passion project to showcase the benefits of vegetarianism for the body & the environment, helped coordinate the first-ever fire ritual for youths to honor the largest Hindu temple outside of India.
College planning to attend: University of Florida
Planned major or future career: Microbiology and Cell Science (Medical Career)
Best thing about high school: All the friends and memories that you can make before heading to college.
Editor’s Note – We appreciate that all four local high schools provided us with the photos and information you see on these pages. We have no idea why some schools provided more than their top-10 graduating seniors, why some of the students’ photos were not provided nor why the students’ GPAs at Kirkland Ranch appear to be out of order. All we’ve done is provide an outlet for each school to provide their photos & information.
Owners David Calcador and Deborah Curler invite you to try all of their newest products at Your CBD Store of New Tampa, located in the Pebble Creek Collection, just south of Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)
David Calcador and Deborah Curler own Your CBD Store of New Tampa, a franchised location of the national chain, located less than a mile south of the Pasco County line in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.
The first Your CBD Store was opened in Bradenton in 2018, and the husband-and-wife team of David and Deborah opened their store just a year later, in 2019.
Now, Your CBD Store is the largest brick-and-mortar CBD chain in the U.S., with more than 600 stores, selling its proprietary Sunmed products, which is a premium, hemp-based line of wellness products tested locally for quality.
Deborah and David are quick to emphasize that they’re not a smoke shop or a cannabis dispensary, but a wellness resource offering solutions to many health problems.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids that grow on cannabis, of which both hemp and marijuana are varieties. CBD originates from hemp, but contains less than 0.3% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the ingredient that causes a “high,” while marijuana has much higher levels of THC.
Most of the products at Your CBD Store of New Tampa are offered as “full spectrum,” which are generally stronger but still contain no more than the legal limit of 0.3% THC, and “broad spectrum,” which have no THC at all.
“CBD can help you with what’s going on in your body,” explains Deborah. “From chronic pain to anxiety, there are so many things it can do for someone.”
CBD comes in both flavored and flavorless tinctures, oils, pills, gummies, weight-loss products, as well as a skincare line, bath bombs, lotions, massage oils, pain creams and even products for dogs and cats.
Deborah and David say that they love educating their customers and clearing up misinformation about CBD. Their CBD products won’t get you high, aren’t illegal, won’t make you impaired and you don’t need a medical cannabis card to purchase them.
Deborah explains that all Sunmed products have a QR code on them that anyone can scan to see detailed information, from where the hemp was grown that was used to make the product (Deborah says the hemp used in her store’s products are all from Oregon and Colorado) to a lab report that explains exactly what’s in the product, as tested by a third party, to ensure quality and safety standards.
New Products
Deborah shares that the store is always offering new products, in addition to the staples they’ve had for years.
For example, full-spectrum water soluble CBD has been available in 900 mg and 1,800 mg versions, but is now also available in 2,700 mg and 5,400 mg, too. Deborah says these products are great for stress, anxiety and panic attacks, as well as general health and wellness.
“Neuro is a special blend for neurological issues and is CBG-enriched for fighting inflammation,” Deborah says. (Note-CBG is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid that also is known as “the mother of cannabinoids.”)
For longer-lasting effects for pain relief, Deborah says tinctures provide up to 10 hours of pain relief and are available in 1,000 mg, 2,000 mg and 3,000 mg.
Your CBD store also offers topical creams, sprays, gels and roll-ons for isolated pain.
The store recently added Nowadays, which is an adult beverage that gives a buzz without a hangover, and Xite Delta 9 milk chocolate and dark chocolate candies and popcorn.
Your CBD Store also carries a variety of edibles such as anytime gummies, all-in-one mushroom gummies, and super greens daily gummies, which help to support daily well-being.
Products For Pets, Too
If your pet suffers from separation anxiety or skin “hot spots,” Your CBD Store of New Tampa has an all-natural product that may help.
A variety of pet products to help dogs and cats also are available at Your CBD Store.
For example, Chillen is a pet treat that can help with issues such as separation anxiety or to help pets relax during fireworks, travel, or any stressful situation.
Other products include a probiotic blend that helps with potty issues, a treat that provides allergy relief, including skin support for pets that experience skin “hot spots,” and Movin’ Easy, which helps pets with joint pain.
“All pet treats are formulated by veterinarians,” Deborah explains.
Amazing Reviews
Deborah and David are proud of their store’s Google reviews, which average 4.9 stars out of 5, based on nearly 200 reviews.
“If you look at our reviews,” Deborah says, “you’ll see people love the products and that they’re changing lives.”
Recently, Florencia Stewart visited the New Tampa store and shared her experience in a 5-star Google review.
“I want to thank the owner! She is amazing,” Florencia writes. “I took my mom to get CBD and [Deborah] was extremely helpful, very patient, and explained everything to us. My mom is pain free!”
She goes on to write, “We love this store! All I can say is thank you, thank you!!! My mom has been able to sleep!”
Other recent reviews cite “exceptional customer service” and say that Deborah and David are both “extremely knowledgeable.”
Whenever you make a purchase, you’ll receive a card you can bring back on the third Saturday of the month to receive a prize. Every card is a winner, whether it’s an additional discount, a free item, or up to a year’s worth of CBD!
If you’re age 55 or older, Your CBD Store offers a 15% discount on all of your purchases, but on Mondays only. And, free local delivery or free shipping is always available for orders over $100.
Your CBD Store of New Tampa is located at 19651 BBD Blvd., Suite B-1. It is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and 1 p.m.– 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 994-0599 or visit GetSunMed.com.
The friendly, professional staff of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (on BBD Blvd., in front of Live Oak Preserve in New Tampa), is led by Dr. Neeraja Jasthi (far left) & Dr. Linda Park (far right). (Photo provided by Dr. Jasthi )
At Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the small plaza next to MidFlorida Credit Union in front of the Live Oak Preserve community in New Tampa, Neeraja Jasthi, DMD, says her practice offers family-oriented, comprehensive care for patients ages four and older.
“We are a place that takes care of all of your dental needs,” explains Dr. Jasthi. “We are friendly, safe and give quality treatment.”
Dr. Jasthi moved her practice to its current location in 2005 after opening in a smaller office in the Highwoods Preserve area of New Tampa in 2002. She has been practicing in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area since 1998, after earning her DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) degree from the Tufts Dental School in Boston, MA, in 1996.
Linda Park, DDS, joined the practice in 2018. Dr. Park earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2005 from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Loma Linda, CA.
With two doctors and five hygienists in the practice, Dr. Jasthi says appointments are almost always available quickly. If someone is in pain, they usually can be seen right away. And, new patients can often be scheduled within a couple of weeks, and Dr. Jasthi’s attentive administrative staff can often get patients in sooner, especially if another patient cancels an appointment and opens a spot for those who want to be seen quickly to be accommodated.
New patients also are happy to learn that, unlike some dental practices that require an exam first, before scheduling a cleaning, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry always provides an exam and cleaning at the first appointment. If treatment is required, however, the patient may need to come back for another appointment to complete that treatment.
Dr. Jasthi says Family & Cosmetic Dentistry feels like a family, and she always wants her patients to be able to bring the whole family to them. While she and Dr. Park typically see all family members ages four and up, they do sometimes see younger children, as well.
“For established patients of record who have children younger than four,” Dr. Jasthi says, “we will see them if they are cooperative.”
Beyond cleanings and exams of the teeth, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers fillings, bridges, crowns and many other necessary dental treatments.
As the practice’s name states, the team also offers cosmetic dentistry to help everyone achieve their best possible smile. This includes services such as teeth whitening, veneers and Invisalign® aligners to straighten the teeth.
“We are doing more Invisalign these days,” says Dr. Jasthi, “helping people with the aesthetics and functionality of their teeth.”
She adds that she also provides dental implants in-house, as well as restorative treatments, and that she is often able to use a veneer instead of porcelain for some cosmetic procedures, which allows her to not cut into the tooth structure.
“For example,” she says, “if someone has a peg-shaped tooth and wants to make it more of an ideal form, we do chair-side composites with injection molding. It’s good for the health of the tooth and it’s very economical, compared to the cost of porcelain.”
Dr. Jasthi says her practice continues to grow “by leaps and bounds,” thanks to many people in the community who support her.
Like Dr. Jasthi, Dr. Park (above) provides personalized service to her patients. (Photo by Charmaine George)
That includes patients such as Wesley Chapel resident Karina Fernandez, who says she has been a patient of Dr. Jasthi’s since she moved to Florida in 2015.
“They always have appointments available and are very flexible with their schedule,” Karina says.
She also appreciates that she never feels like she’s being sold something she doesn’t need. “They’re not trying to take your money,” Karina says, adding that she is absolutely thrilled with the Invisalign treatment she recently completed.
“I had no idea it would be so effective,” she says. “I thought I would need braces because my bottom teeth were so crooked. I didn’t think it could be fixed with a plastic aligner, but after a year and half, my teeth are straight.”
In fact, she adds, “what I like the best is that I can feel the difference in my bite. I used to have trouble chewing, but now I don’t. I’m really amazed by the difference.”
Karina says every member of her family is now a Family & Cosmetic Dentistry patient and she highly recommends the practice.
Another happy patient is Veronica Givens, a New Tampa resident who says she drove by the office many times on her travels up BBD and one day decided to make an appointment.
As a busy mom, she says she had put off going to the dentist herself, even though she had some concerns about her teeth.
“When I took the time to go in and see Dr. Jasthi and her team, they were open and friendly, and they listened to me,” Veronica says.
One of her concerns was that her teeth were crooked, so Dr. Jasthi suggested Invisalign. “She really transformed my teeth to completely straight,” she says.
“It’s really helped boost my confidence,” she adds. “I talk with a lot of people all day, whether it’s in person or on video, and Invisalign has made me feel more comfortable. I’m no longer wondering if someone is noticing my crooked teeth now. I’m just smiling, laughing and talking.”
Veronica says that, throughout the process, she was impressed with the professionalism of the staff, and how caring everyone in the office seemed to be.
“I always recommend Dr. Jasthi because she’s definitely the best doctor I’ve ever seen in my whole life,” Veronica says. “My teeth are straight and white, and I have healthy gums and no cavities. I’m really grateful for her and her team.”
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, the office of Dr. Neeraja Jasthi, is located at 20441 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. Office hours are available Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. on Friday. For more information about the practice, visit DrJasthi.com or call (813) 866- 9913.
(L.-r.) Belinda, Jackie, Lauren, owner Lee Alley, Nina & Dolys are the friendly, professional nail techs at Kay Nail Spa on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)
Lilliana Harrington is a huge fan of having her nails done by owner (and experienced nail technician) Lee Alley at Kay Nail Spa, located in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel, across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the same plaza as Dickey’s BBQ.
She’s such a fan, in fact, that even though Lilliana sold her home in Wesley Chapel and moved to outside of Orlando, she now travels more than two hours every three weeks to have her nails done by Lee.
“When you find someone who is so extraordinary,” Lilliana says, “you can’t leave them.”
Lilliana says she, her 19- and 11-year-old daughters and even her husband all go to Kay Nail Spa for pedicures and manicures, despite the drive. They discovered Lee at her first salon in Wesley Chapel — Colorful Nails in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54, which Lee and her husband Chris still own.
The Alleys bought Kay Nail Spa just a few months ago, in November 2024. They also previously owned Lavender Nails at the Tampa Premium Outlets, but Lee made the decision to sell that salon when the opportunity presented itself.
“[Lavender Nails] was very successful,” says Lee, “but someone offered us a good deal and I thought three salons was too much, so we let it go.”
Lee says she loves the location at Kay Nail Spa, since it’s close to her home and even closer to her two-year-old’s day care. Lilliana says she’ll follow Lee anywhere, but she particularly likes Kay Nail Spa.
“It’s a very clean place,” Lilliana says, noting that there are never any stray items on the floor and that it doesn’t have a strong chemical smell, as some nail salons do. “It’s very beautiful, very calming and very uplifting. All of her places are wonderful, but I fell in love with the chair at Kay.”
And, while Lilliana has a strong loyalty and prefers that only Lee do her nails, she says that whenever she’s had her nails done by other technicians at Lee’s salons, she’s still always has been happy with both the quality of the work and the customer service she’s received.
Lee says she worked at a salon when she first came to Wesley Chapel with her husband in 2019. She says she was often booked all day from people requesting appointments with her. She loved the work, and knew she wanted to go into business for herself.
Now, she’s busy managing the day-to-day operations at both salons and Chris, who also works as an information technology (IT) professional, supports the salon with IT, paperwork, payroll, marketing and other administrative functions. Lee still makes time for her loyal clients as much as she can, but fully trusts her employees to care for those clients, too.
She says the most important thing to everyone at Kay Nail Spa is providing not only good quality manicures and pedicures, but also excellent customer service.
Growing up in Vietnam, Lee says her family owned a small nail salon, so she was always around it. She left her home country to work on a cruise ship, where she got a job as a casino dealer.
Lee explains that, as an employee of a huge company that trains thousands of people in customer service, she learned a lot of lessons that she now applies to her nail salon businesses.
For example, she says it’s important to always put relationships first.
“We treat our customers like friends and family,” she says. “We have to make them feel welcome. If any issues happen, we try to understand them so that we can build a strong relationship.”
Lee also says that, because of that mantra, clients often become friends, too.
“I tell my employees that they can improve their skills over time, and if they mess up, their customers will give them a chance to fix it,” Lee says. “But, if they’re mean or rude, people won’t come back.”
Lee says another thing she likes about her shop is that there are nail technicians of many nationalities. “We have Spanish, Asian and African technicians,” Lee says. “I don’t care where they come from if they do nails well and have a good attitude.”
Lee says Kay Nail Spa offers all nail services such as acrylic, gel and dip powder. “If it’s available in the market,” she says, “we do it.”
While Kay Nails was not previously known for offering nail art, now that Lee’s technicians are there, they are proud to offer those trendy and beautiful nail art designs, too.
And, Lee says, customers can rest assured their nails will last. “We guarantee our nails for at least five days,” Lee says. “We fix anything for free within five days. After that, we are happy to take care of any issues that arise. But, if it’s not our mistake, we may charge a small fee to fix it.”
Kay Nail Spa offers a number of discounts, including 5% for members of the military and seniors ages 65 and older. Lee says she’ll also take 10% off all services on your birthday.
The spa also offers a loyalty card, where each service of $30 or more equals one point. Once you have 10 points, you’ll receive $10 off any service.
Kay Nail Spa is located at 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 104, in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel plaza. It is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.,; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. To make an appointment, call (813) 527-6524 or visit KayNailSalon.com.
