Top row: Courtney Flor, valedictorian; Nicholas Buliga, salutatorian.
Second row: Christina Engler, IB co-valedictorian; Brittney Gervasi, IB co-valedictorian; Zeba Alvi, IB salutatorian.
COURTNEY FLOR is a daughter of Anne Flor of Hudson. She was born in Brookhaven, N. Y., but grew up in New Port Richey. She attended Anclote Elementary, Cotee River Elementary, Mittye P. Locke Elementary, and Gulf Middle schools before coming to Gulf. Her GPA is 4.75. She expects to attend the University of Florida and possibly become an emergency room physician/surgeon. She has already (in December) earned an AA degree from PHCC. Her hobbies are reading, writing, softball, and tennis. She has been in CECF/BPA (Career Education Clubs of Florida/Business Professionals of America). She reports that her favorite teachers have been Ms. Donlon, Ms. Pugh, and Mr. Stringer. Courtney wrote that at Gulf, “There were many opportunities to me and many of my teachers actually cared about my life, achievements, and aspirations.”
NICHOLAS BULIGA is a son of Christopher and Sandra Buliga of New Port Richey. He was born in Dunedin but grew up in New Port Richey. His GPA is 4.333. He attended Seven Springs Elementary and Gulf Middle schools before coming to Gulf. He expects to attend Florida Gulf Coast University or the University of South Florida and study engineering. In addition to being on the All-A Honor Roll, Nick is a four-time All-Academic Athlete, a three-time All-Conference Athlete, a state qualifier in Cross Country/Track, and the 2A District 8 champion in 5K and 1600. He has been captain of both the varsity cross country and track teams, and has been a member of the National Honor Society, National Mathematics Honor Society, and National Science Honor Society. He reports that his hobbies are hanging out with friends, going to the movies, and ping pong. He wrote that at Gulf, “What I like most and will most remember is all the great times with my cross country team. Cross country taught me how to do my best in everything I do. My favorite teachers are all my math teachers: Zions, Miller, Stojanovska, Griffith. They taught me everything I know and love about math. And of course my amazing coach, Mr. Lofton.”
CHRISTINA ENGLER is the daughter of Domenica and Daniel Engler of Holiday. She was born in Freehold, N.J., and grew up in that area and in Holiday. She attended three elementary schools in New Jersey, Gulfside Elementary School, and Paul R. Smith Middle School before coming to Gulf. Her weighted GPA is 4.7619 and unweighted GPA is 4.0. She plans to study Chemical Engineering and become a chemical engineer; she’s still awaiting college admittance decisions, but she had already been accepted by UF, FSU, and USF. Christina is Gulf High School’s Outstanding Senior. She is the winner of the University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Technology. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and an AP Scholar with Honor, and a finalist for Rochester’s GEAR Program. At Gulf she played varsity volleyball, was President of the National English Honor Society and the Environmental Club and was a member of the Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Leo Club, Math Honor Society, Interact Club, National Science Honor Society, Astronomy Club, and Spanish Honor Society. She served on Teen Court and was on an Odyssey of the Mind team. She has been a coach for the Youth Volleyball League at the Holiday Recreation complex and a Paul R. Smith Middle School summer school tutor. Asked what she would remember about Gulf High School, she wrote, “IB, friends, teachers, and the community at Gulf – always willing to help and something is always going on – clubs, events, etc. All of my teachers are not only amazing teachers, but they are wonderful people, too. They all dedicate so much time to benefit their students in the best way possible. Every one of my teachers has taught me copious life lessons, and insight of how the real world works. Shoutout to Mr. Uchacz, Ms. Wilbur, Mr. Griffith, Mrs. S, Mrs. Alwood, Mr. Donaldson, Señora Belknap, Mr. Rice, Ms. Ledman, Ms. Winslow, and Mrs. Simon: You all have taught me a variety of things, all helping to develop who I am now. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to be in the presence of so many great people throughout my high school years, and for that I believe I am truly ready and excited to move onto the next stage of my life!”
BRITTNEY GERVASI is a daughter of Deborah Gervasi (mother), Ronald Gervasi (father), and Aimee Gervasi (step-mother). She was born in Dunedin and grew up in the New Port Richey/Holiday area. She attended World of Knowledge – A Montessori School, Cotee River Elementary, Mittye P. Locke Elementary, and Gulf Middle schools before attending Gulf. Her GPA is 4.7619. She hopes to attend the University of Florida and study pre-medicine to become an anesthesiologist. She is an AP Scholar with Honors and an AP Scholar with Distinction, a National Merit Commended Student, a winner of the University of Chicago Book Award, and is published in the school literary magazine. She has been President of the Leo club, and a member of the Astronomy Club, Environmental Club, Teen Court, Mu Alpha Theta, the Science, English, National, and Spanish honor societies, and a team member and judge for Odyssey of the Mind. Her hobbies are hanging out with Christina Engler, reading, and archery/shooting with Campfire Scouts. Asked what she would remember about Gulf High School, she wrote, “I loved the quality of IB teachers and the education. IB is a family ♥. Quality of extracurriculars. Mr. Stringer♥, Donaldson♥, Ledman♥, Winslow♥ (she knows tough love), Griffith♥, Stoj♥, Belknap♥.
ZEBA ALVI is a daughter of Munawar and Ashfak Alvi. She grew up in New Port Richey and attended Anclote Elementary and Gulf Middle schools before coming to Gulf. Her GPA is 4.666. She says she probably will attend UF but is still waiting on the University of Chicago. She will study Political Science / International Affairs. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has held various student council positions for three years, has been a member of the English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Art Honor Society, Leo Club, and Interact. Zeba initiated the minor Pay it Forward campaign at school. She writes, “All of my IB teachers carry serious passion and intellect so to single out just one would almost be a disservice to the rest. They are all pretty awesome people.”
(To the above students: if you wish to make any edits in the above, or even re-write your entry, e-mail the changes to Mr. Miller at jeff560@aol.com)
