2024 Senior Class President’s Speech Honors The Memory Of Paul R. Wharton 

(Above, l.-r) Jeffrey Schroeder, Stephen Michelini, Zack Chandler and Mary Wharton Schroeder at the Wharton High graduation, where Zack honored the memory of Mary’s father, Paul R. Wharton, the man for whom the school was named. (All photos provided by Hillsborough County Public Schools)

Wharton High senior Zack Chandler was at a baseball game with his teammates this spring when he noticed that every one of them had the same name on the backs of their jerseys. 

In fact, it was on all of the jerseys for all of the sports at his school — and on a lot of other shirts, too. They all said, “Wharton.” 

Of course they did, since that’s the name of the school they all were attending. 

It hit Zack that although he vaguely recalled that Wharton High was named after someone, he had no idea who that person was or why he was chosen to have a school named after him. 

So when Zack, who was the school’s 2023- 24 senior class president, was given the honor of speaking at his graduation ceremony on May 25, he knew what he wanted to do. 

Rather than talk about himself, Zack wanted to find out who exactly Paul R. Wharton was, and why Zack’s school was named after him. 

Photos of Paul Wharton

“I did some research and found out what a cool guy Mr. Wharton was, and how he affected the community,” Zack says. “I wanted to make a metaphor out of it. Don’t take things that you have every day for granted.” 

He learned that Wharton retired as the assistant superintendent for Hillsborough County Public Schools, after serving as principal of both Plant and Robinson high schools. He started in the county as an innovator who advocated for vocational and technical schools in the District, and also served as principal of the Brewster Vocational Technical Institute. 

Wharton did all of that after starting his career teaching in a one-room school house in Springfield, KY, and then serving in the U.S. Army before moving to Tampa. 

Zack found that Wharton had passed away in 2009, but Zack wanted to invite Wharton’s family members to his graduation to hear Wharton honored in front of the student body. 

Mary Wharton Shroeder is Paul’s daughter, and she attended the ceremony, along with her husband Stephen Michelini and her son Jeffrey Schroeder. She says this was the first time anyone had approached her about recognizing her dad at the school. 

Zack Chandler during his graduation speech

Mary and her family were seated in the graduation ceremony’s VIP area and were honored when Zack acknowledged them from the podium. “I was delighted,” she says. “I know what an amazing man Daddy was, and all the things he did for this community. It’s just a wonderful thing.” 

She says that if her dad had been able to address those students at Wharton, he might have told them it’s important to choose carefully who they emulate. They should choose their role models wisely, because who they look up to will make a huge difference in who they become. 

“It made me so proud of him to receive the recognition that he so deserved,” Mary says. “He never asked for the recognition, but he earned it because he helped to shape our community. He was always a leader and had a great sense of humor.” 

It’s been more than 25 years since Wharton High opened on August 21, 1997, so it’s understandable that today’s graduating seniors had never before heard of the man for whom their school was named. 

But now, thanks to Zack Chandler, they have. 

School Board Member Vaughn Honors Turner-Bartels For All Of Its PTSA Awards! 

Turner Bartels K-8 School ‘s PTSA poses with the awards they were given by Ami Marie Granger Welch (2nd from left) & Jessica Vaughn (3rd from left). (Photos by Charmaine George)

If you thought that having this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee champion would be enough for Turner Bartels K-8 School in the Live Oak Preserve area off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., you’d be wrong. 

Less than two weeks before Turner Bartels seventh grader Bruhat Soma took home that coveted crown, the school itself was honored with six trophies from the Hillsborough County Council of PTAs & PTSAs, including PTSA of the Year (for the second year in a row), President of the Year (Ali Wilbur), Volunteer of the Year (Holley Townsend), “Superman” Award for Top Male Volunteer of the Year (Eric Wilbur, also for the second consecutive year), Administrator of the Year (Principal R. LaMarr Buggs) and the “At Your Service” Award for the Best Service Project (Giving Tree). 

Principal R. LaMarr Buggs with Welch & Vaughn. 

Hillsborough Public Schools District 3 School Board member (and New Tampa resident) Jessica Vaughn and Hillsborough County Council VP of Advocacy Ami Marie Granger Welch came to Turner Bartels on May 21 to give the school’s award winners their trophies. 

“You have an amazing PTSA here at Turner Bartels,” Vaughn said. “We’re here to celebrate all of their hard work and what they give back to the community. Congratulations to Ali, to all of the other members and the work that they do and just thank you for everything you contribute. It really means a lot and it has a huge impact.” 

Congratulations to the Turner Bartels PTSA Board: President Ali Wilbur, VP Nicole Reber, Treasurer Renee Krimetz, Recording Secretary Joe Kelly, VP of Fundraising Rebecca Reid, Corresponding Secretary Jenelle Bell, VP of Marketing Erin Delk Neylan, VP of Events Holley Townsend & VP of In- School Service Stephanie Rubly. 

(L.-r.) PTSA VP of Events & Volunteer of the Year Holley Townsend, VP Nicole Reber & President Ali Wilbur pose with the hundreds of cereal boxes the PTSA collected for a service project.. 

Congratulations To New Tampa’s Top Of The Class Of 2024! 

It’s that time of year where parents and students count down to all kinds of graduations, from pre-kindergarten to college. At local high schools, hundreds of graduates are moving on to a new phase of life, whether it’s starting a career, joining the military, going to a faraway university, attending a local college, or taking some time to find themselves. The students on these pages are the top-10 graduating seniors of the Class of 2024 at both of New Tampa’s public high schools by grade point average (GPA). Congratulations to everyone listed on these pages for their extraordinary achievement – and to all of their peers and classmates who are graduating alongside them. Note – We apologize that we have significantly more information about one school’s top-10 students than the other, but we can only show here what we were provided. Please also note that while it seems that the last two Wharton GPAs are out of order, a Wharton official told us that the class ranks were frozen prior to the final GPAs shown here. 

Freedom High 

1. Ishitha Panguluri, Valedictorian 

GPA: 8.6591 

College planning to attend: University of Chicago or Univ. of Florida 

Planned Major or Future Career: Neuroscience 

2. Kayla Le, Salutatorian 

GPA: 7.9495 

College planning to attend: University of Florida or University of South Florida 

Planned Major or Future Career: Business 

3. Jaclyn Rachel Alejandro 

GPA: 7.4377 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida Honors 

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Sciences, pre-med 

4. Yadiel Narvaez Hernandez 

GPA: 7.2153 

College planning to attend: Georgia Tech 

Planned major or future career: Industrial Engineering 

5. Mrinalini Bose 

GPA: 7.2113 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned Major or future career: Applied Math 

6. Mallory Marsland Pettit 

GPA: 7.1104 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Psychology 

7. Sanduni Karalliyadde 

GPA: 6.9993 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Political Science, Pre-Law 

8. Sharianne Sampson 

GPA: 6.9438 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biology, pre-med 

9. Pouria Yazdankhah Kenary 

GPA: 6.829 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering 

10. Mohammed Alfatlawi 

GPA: 6.76 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Computer Engineering 

Wharton High 

1. Heer Patel, Valedictorian 

GPA: 9.9639 

Clubs/Activities: President BETA club, President/founder Wistem (Women in STEM club), member of NHS (National Honor Society), SNHS (Science National Honor Society), NEHS (National English Honor Society), Spanish National Honor Society, Tri M music honor society, Key Club, FBLA, Orchestra, dancer, volunteer at Moffitt Cancer Center and Metropolitan Ministries

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Business & Biology 

Best thing about high school: High school taught me what it means to have real friends. These past few years, I’ve developed some of the closest bonds, which I know will carry forward as I move on to the next chapter of my life. High school taught me how to grow and nurture friendships, and how to value people for who they truly are. 

2. Sarah Gangaram, Salutatorian 

GPA: 8.08 

Clubs/Activities: Team Captain Speech and Debate, Vice President NEHS, Co-founder Book Club, Vice President BETA, Social Media Manager, Newspaper: Education Editor, Member of SNHS, NHS 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biology on a pre-med path, neurosurgeon 

Best thing about High School: Definitely the people. I enjoyed coming to school every day and socializing with my friends and peers, as well as my teachers. Overall, they really made my high school experience incredible. For example, when I’d go to football games and other school events, the spirit we all have is incredible, and just being in that environment was amazing – it’s something I will never forget. 

3. Mahdi Aziz 

GPA: 7.4787 

Clubs/Activities: Treasury secretary NEHS, member of SNHS, NHS, volunteer at AdventHealth, working for my dad at Bagels Plus, tennis 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Anthropology and history, international lawyer 

Best thing about High School: All the great teachers and friends that I met all through my four years, and the times I spent with them. 

4. Cooper Priest

GPA: 7.28 

Clubs/Activities: Chess Club, NHS, SNHS, swim team 

College planning to attend: Michigan State University 

Planned major or future career: Chemical engineering 

Best thing about High School: Making friends 

5. Athira Umshankar 

GPA: 7.24 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, NEHS, SNHS, art club, film club 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida Honors 

Planned major or future career: Psychology 

Best thing about High School: People and friends I met. 

6. Reese Prieto 

GPA: 7.22 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biology 

Best thing about High School: Meeting new people and making new friends 

7. Emily Toso 

GPA: 7.12 

Clubs/Activities: Newspaper Editor-in-chief, President SNHS, NEHS, speech and debate, dancer (Tampa Gymnastics and Dance) for 14 years 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Environmental engineering 

Best thing about High School: Being able to explore different interests and really find what you’re good at and enjoy. 

8. Avi Amin 

GPA: 7.08 

Clubs/Activities: Scuba diving, soccer, SCC 

College planning to attend: New York University 

Planned major or future career: Finance 

Best thing about High School: Getting to meet new people and make new friends 

9. Eva Lebas 

GPA: 7.0 

Clubs/Activities: All-County and All-State Honors Orchestras, play viola, swim team 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Engineering 

Best thing about High School: Definitely prom and the senior events 

10. Jariel Garriga 

GPA: 7.06 

Clubs/Activities: Wharton Baseball Captain, Beta Club Vice President, SCC Unity Officer 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Planned major or future career: Biochemistry, orthopedic surgeon 

Best thing about High School: Playing baseball with my friends 

How Do You Spell ‘Champion?’ B-R-U-H-A-T!

(Photos from the Scripps National Spelling Bee and Associated Press Websites)

We first told you about Bruhat Soma — the New Tampa resident who won this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 30 — two years ago, when he was a 10-year-old fifth grader who missed attending the finals that year because he came down with Covid-19.

Bruhat, who then finished 74th at the 2023 Scripps Bee, not only won the title this year, he did so with what has to be considered the most amazing performance in the 96-year history of the Bee — even more incredible than it was controversial.

For only the second time ever (the only other time was in 2022), the final two contestants had to compete in a lightning-round tiebreaker known as a “spell-off,” where each contestant is given 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as they can. Bruhat’s final round opponent — Faizan Zaki, a 12-year-old 6th grader from Allen, Texas — successfully spelled an impressive 20 words in 90 seconds, but Bruhat set a new spell-off record by spelling an other-worldly 29 words correctly in the same amount of time.

Although Bruhat told the Associated Press (AP) he was nervous about the spell-off, he calmly zipped through every word, from “abseil” (actually his last word of the spell-off) to “wenzel” by miming himself typing each word as he spelled it. If you haven’t yet watched his spell-off performance, you really should. AP’s article said he sounded more like an auctioneer than a speller.

As the champion, Bruhat receives a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

According to the AP, Bruhat said he “rehearsed the spell-off every day for six months. I was pretty confident that I had a chance at winning because I’ve been working so hard…and I really wanted to win. That’s why I practiced the spell-off so much.”

The AP story also said although there was no doubt Bruhat was a worthy champion, “the conclusion left many observers disappointed and confused.

“The finals began with eight spellers, the fewest since 2010,” the AP report said, “and it was clear that Scripps was trying to fill the 2-hour broadcast window on Ion, a network owned by the Cincinnati-based media company. Frequent, lengthy commercial breaks allowed spellers to mill about at the side of the stage, chatting with their coaches, relatives and supporters.

“And then, Bee officials announced it was time for the tiebreaker before Bruhat and Faizan were even given a chance to compete in a conventional round. The competition rules state that a spell-off is used in the interest of time, but Scripps still squeezed in another commercial break between the tiebreaker and the announcement of Bruhat’s victory.

“In the tiebreaker — which was used once before, when Harini Logan of Texas correctly spelled 21 words in 90 seconds in 2022 — “the winning word is the one that gives a speller one more correct word than their competitor.” Although it was actually his 29th correct word, not his 21st, Scripps said, “Bruhat’s winning word was ‘abseil,’ defined as “descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a projection above.”

After the competition ended, and a clearly sad Faizan graciously shook his hand, Bruhat told the AP, “I always want to win. And this was, like, my main goal. I’m just really happy that I won this.”

Bruhat is the second straight champion from the Tampa Bay area, and his victory means 29 of the last 35 spelling champs have been Indian American.

He also is the second New Tampa resident to claim the title — former Benito Middle School eighth grader Nupur Lala was the first, after winning in 1999. Nupur’s journey to the crown inspired a new generation of spellers, after her triumph was featured in the documentary “Spellbound.” Now a neuro-oncologist, Nupur returned to the Bee this year for the first time in a decade.

Turner Bartels principal LaMarr Buggs said that Bruhat’s performance was “Unbelievable. I honestly was nervous about the spell-off because the other kid (Faizan) seemed faster during the regular rounds, but wow. Just wow! Everyone at the school is so proud that he is one of ours.”

Buggs also said that after Bruhat, who lives “within walking distance of the school in Live Oak Preserve,” is finished with a whirlwind media tour, including an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmell Live!” and other national talk shows, a “welcoming committee” from Turner Bartels plans to greet Bruhat and his family at Tampa International Airport upon their return.

Congratulations To Wesley Chapel’s Top Of The Class Of 2024! 

It’s that time of year when parents and students count the days remaining until graduations, from pre-kindergarten to college. At our local public high schools, hundreds of graduates are moving on to a new phase of their lives, whether it’s starting a career, joining the military, going to a distant university, attending a local college, or taking some time to find themselves. The students below are the top-10 graduating seniors of the Class of 2024 at each of Wesley Chapel’s three public high schools by grade point average (GPA). Congratulations to everyone listed on these pages for their extraordinary achievements — and to all of their peers and classmates moving on to the next phase, too. Note — One school did not disclose student GPAs or other info to protect the students’ privacy and another didn’t include pictures other than for the Valedictorian & Salutatorian. We apologize but we can only show here what we’ve been provided. — Celeste McLaughlin 

Cypress Creek High

1. Brandon Adams (Valedictorian) 

GPA: 4.7391 

Clubs/Activities: Published research in Journal of Student Research, co-founded standardized testing support program, President of National Honor Society (NHS), Author of “On Questions of Transformations,” cross country, volunteer at PetSmart, Spanish NHS, VP of English NHS. 

College planning to attend: Undecided 

Planned Major or Future Career: Pre-Med 

Best thing about high school: Extra-curricular activities 

2. Jordan Fulop, Salutatorian 

GPA: 4.6154 

Clubs/Activities: NHS parliamentarian, Spirit Club Secretary, FBLA Historian, First Priority co-founder and leader, Best Buddies, Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Planned Major or Future Career: Business Management 

Best thing about High School: Football games 

3. Jerry Phan

GPA: 4.6053 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Science NHS, Robotics club, volunteer at PetSmart 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Pre-Med 

Best thing about high school: Peers that I met along the way 

4. Jayna Katanani 

GPA: 4.6 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Science NHS, Fiction Addiction book club 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Pre-Med 

Best thing about high school: It’s a trial for real life. 

5. Jack Niemann 

GPA: 4.5778 

Clubs/Activities: Football captain/quarterback, track, volunteer at Tampa General Hospital 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned Major: Health Sciences 

Best thing about high school: Football games 

6. Abby Outtrim

GPA: 4.566 

Clubs/Activities: President of HOSA (Future Health Professionals), VP of NHS, public relations officer of English NHS, member of American Sign Language HS, member of Interact Club, intern at USF College of Nursing. I did most of my volunteering at my local church, PetSmart, Feeding Tampa Bay & Metropolitan Ministries 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Nursing 

Best thing about high school: You meet so many new friends, teachers and mentors. You will make lifelong connections and can form a network! I’ve learned about so many opportunities available to me through my teachers (especially Ms. Adley!) 

7. Roman Sercu 

GPA: 4.5625 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, founding president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Student Government (SGA) Senator, Creekin Crazies spirit club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Interact Club, S4TL (Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders), Chik-Fil-A Leadership Academy, Best Buddies, Special Olympics basketball buddy 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Business Management & Finance 

Best thing about high school: Times spent with friends and watching people who I have known since Elementary School change over the years and achieve their goals. 

8. Miguel Rosario 

GPA: 4.5538 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, SGA Treasurer, Creekin Crazies Ambassador 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Computer Eng. 

Best thing about high school: Football games 

9. Addison Hellwig 

GPA: 4.5463 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity lacrosse Captain, NHS 

College planning to attend: Mars Hill University 

Planned major or future career: Biomed. Sci. 

Best thing about high school: Leading the team to Pasco County’s first women’s Lacrosse team regional appearance and completing full time dual enrollment and receiving my AA 

10. Ramiro Salazar 

GPA: 4.5426 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, volunteer at Pasco County Animal Shelte 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Computer Science 

Best thing about high school: Students, friends. 

Wesley Chapel High 

 

1.Taylor Himmelberger, 

Valedictorian

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

2. Nayana (Ninny) Chennupati, Co-Salutatorian 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

2. Syed Yasir, Co-Salutatorian 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

In alphabetical order, here are the rest of the top-10 graduates by GPA at WCH: 

Jendayah Cajuste 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Dylan Dorr 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Sophia Herrera 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Courtney Marks 

College planning to attend: Western Carolina University 

Sayuri Ranatunga 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Joshua Vasquez 

College planning to attend: University of Florida

Erick Zayas Ramos 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Wiregrass Ranch High

1. Aniah Florise Mathurin, Valedictorian 

Clubs/Activities: National Merit Commended Scholar, FSU Young Scholars Program, Pasco County All-Star, All-American, Varsity Cheerleader, Class of 2024 Student Government Senator, Student Council, VP of NHS, VP of Haraya, Director of Fundraising of Junior Statesmen of America, Outreach Officer of MEDLIFE, FBLA, HOSA, Relay for Life, NEHS, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Rho Kappa History Honor Society, Science NHS, FCA, Key Club, SADD 

College planning to attend: Duke University 

Planned major or future career: Biology (Pre-Med) 

Best thing about high school: Memories I’ve made with my friends during Friday Night Lights 

2. Meghna Manjith, Salutatorian 

3. Sydnie Maher Alagal 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity cross country, varsity track, SADD club & leadership, NHS, NEHS, Key Club, NSHSS 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Planned Major/Future Career: Psychology/ Criminology 

Best thing about high school: The people I met 

4. Kylie Ryan Bennington 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity soccer, club soccer, NHA, Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club 

College planning to attend: North Carolina State Univerrsity 

Major/career: Environmental Engineering 

Best thing about High School: The people you meet. 

5. Haley Brooke Strawser 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity volleyball, club volleyball, Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, Psi Beta 

College planning to attend: University of Alabama (Huntsville) 

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering or Math 

Best thing about high school: I loved my teachers and loved being a student at Wiregrass, (which) gave me the opportunity to challenge myself both academically and personally. 

6. Abdullah (No last name provided) 

Clubs/Activities: FBLA, Science NHS 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Electrical & Computer Engineering 

Best thing about High School: Some really good and caring teachers and made a really good friend. 

7. Meghan E. Childers 

Clubs/Activities: Odyssey of the Mind, Tri-M, NHS, PTA, Swim & dive team 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Animal Science, Veterinary Doctorate 

Best thing about high school: Getting to hang out with friends while participating in different clubs. 

8. Taylor Monique Blythe 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, English NHS, Black History Committee 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Major: Political Science & History; Pre-law track 

Best thing about high school: Spending time with my close friends at school spirit events and growing into my interests in the past four years. 

9. Isabell Barrios 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity softball, National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Council 

College planning to attend: Florida Southern College 

Planned major or future career: Physician Assistant 

Best thing about high school: Discovering my true passion for the medical field 

10. Omari Redmond (No info provided)