(727) 774-3300

David Botelho and Scott Myers, who are best friends and plan to room together at the University of Florida next year, have been named Gulf High School’s 1998 co-valedictorians. They both had GPA’s of 4.45.

Jennifer Barbookles and Krista Bittenbender have been named co-salutatorians. Their GPA’s are 4.35.

Botelho is the son of Richard and Brenda LaRue of Spring Hill. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mathematics Honor Society, Interact, and Future Problem Solving. His hobbies are swimming and reading. David plans to attend the University of Florida and major in political science. He says he hopes to become a politician.

Myers is the son of Robert F. and Cynthia J. Myers of New Port Richey. He plans to attend the University of Florida and pursue a career in either neurosurgery or physical therapy. Myers is a National Merit Finalist and member of the National Honor Society and German Honor Society. He is President of the Mathematics Honor Society, Vice President of Creative Problem Solving, and Captain of the Varsity Track Team and member of the All-Conference team. He attained the highest possible score — 800 — on the mathematics portion of the SAT.

Bittenbender is the daughter of Virginia and Jeffrey Bittenbender of Holiday. She is a member of the girls varsity golf team, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Poesy and is secretary of Interact and president of the German Honor Society-German Club. She is a Girl Scout, is active in church work and is a volunteer at the YMCA. Her hobbies are playing golf, volunteering, spending time with family and friends and writing letters. She plans to attend the University of Florida. Krista is uncertain about her major but she is considering the fields of education and medicine.

Barbookles is the daughter of John and Denise Barbookles of Holiday. She will attend the University of South Florida for at least two years and major in journalism. She says she may transfer in two years to a different school, possibly out-of-state. She hopes to become a sportswriter and work her way up to a major newspaper such as the New York Times or Boston Globe. Jennifer says she may play golf during college.