Zachary Ivanac, Marí Mercado, Lauren Kanapka, Brandi Taylor, Nicholas Baker
Pictured above are the valedictorians and salutatorians of the Gulf High School Class of 2011. Because of a tie in GPA’s, there are two IB valedictorians this year.
Zachary Mark Ivanac is the valedictorian. He is a son of Jill and Mile Ivanac. He was born in Florida and attended Richey Elementary School and Chasco Middle School before coming to Gulf. He will attend FSU and major in computer science. He has a 4.4 GPA. Zach is a member of the math honor society. He says his hobbies are video games and computers.
Marí Allyssa Mercado is the salutatorian. She is the daughter of Mindi and Rafael Mercado. Her brother Rafael also attends GHS. Marí was born in Warner Robbins, Georgia, where she lived for six months. She has attended numerous schools, which we list here: Sunset Point Christian School in Clearwater, grades 1-4; Cornerstone Academy on State Road 54, grade 5; Elfers Christian School, grade 6 and part of 7; a school in Fort Lauderdale, part of 7; Gulf Middle School, grade 8; Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, grade 9; Gulf High School, grades 10-12. She will attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and major in computer science. Her GPA is approximately 4.3. She is the Reach Outreach ambassador for Christians in Action, a member of the Japanese Culture Club, the National Honor Society, the English National Honor Society, the Teen Council at the NPR Library, and she volunteers at Calvary Chapel Worship Center. She is a winner of the National Hispanic Scholar award from the College Board.
Lauren Georgia Kanapka is an IB co-valedictorian. She is a daughter of Kerry Gains and Simon Kanapka. She was born in Rotchford, England, and moved to the U.S at age 10. She attended Eastwood Infant School 1-2 in Eastwood, grades 1-2; Glebe Junior School in Rayleigh, grades 3-5; Trinity Elementary School, grade 5; Seven Springs Middle School, grades 6-8; and Gulf High School, grades 9-12. She hopes to attend the University of Sussex, but is undecided about her career. She is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Interact, and the National Honor Society. She volunteers in Relay for Life. She is a National Merit Finalist. Lauren’s GPA is 4.7261.
Brandi Marie Taylor is an IB co-valedictorian. She is a daughter of Maureen and Richard Taylor. She was born in Selinganstadt, Germany, and lived there until age two, and then moved to Annapolis, Maryland. She moved to Florida after 6th grade when she was 12 years old. She attended Windsor Farms Elementary School in Maryland; Severn River Middle in Maryland, grade 6; Seven Springs Middle School, grade 7; Paul R. Smith Middle, grade 8; and Gulf High School grades 9-12. She will attend the University of Florida and plans to major in zoology. Her GPA is 4.7261. She is a member of the Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Interact. Brandi did competitive gymnastics for ten years.
Nicholas Robert Baker is the IB salutatorian. He is a son of Robert and Suzanne Baker. Nicholas was born in Tampa. He attended Seven Springs Elementary School, grades k-12; Citrus Park Christian School, grades 3-5; Berean Academy in Lutz, grades 6-8; and Gulf High School, grades 9-12. He is undecided about college, but his top choices are Boston College and Dartmouth. He hopes to have a career in the foreign service, either as a diplomat or ambassador. Nick is a National Merit Finalist, President of the English Honor Society, and a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Christians in Action, Teen Court. He was captain of the varsity soccer team. Among his hobbies is writing poetry. His GPA is 4.7023.
