Top: Nagy, Luis. Bottom: Marques, Panjabi, Tanghal. larger photo
This page will be updated as we receive more biographical information.
JAQUELYN NAGY is the valedictorian. She is the daughter of Angelina and Jim Nagy. She grew up in Queens, N. Y., before moving to Holiday. She attended PS91Q and St. John’s Lutheran School, Sunset Hills Elementary School, Mittye P. Locke elementary School, and Paul R. Smith Middle School before coming to Gulf. She hopes to attend the University of Florida and study biochemistry and to become an officer in the Navy. Jackie has on the Busch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, she has been an Honor Cadet three years in a row. She is the recipient of the National Sojourner’s Award, the Daedalian JROTC Achievement Award, the Daughters of 1812 JROTC Award, Military Order of the Purple Heart Award, and is a Gilliam Award nominee and a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. She is a four-timer State Drill Championship Finalist and helped with a host of team accomplishments in NJROTC competitions. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honoro Society, History Honor Society, a cadet lieutenant in NJROTC, where she has been Color Guard Team Commander and Operations Officer. She says she is interested in the sciences, reading good books and spending time with friends. She writes that playing video games is a personal hobby but she still likes to stay active. Jackie wrote, “What I will remember most about GHS is the NJROTC program. They have changed my life. For four years Chief Rodriguez and Commander McGuire have pushed me and taught me many valuable life lessons. The whole unit has become so close to me, they are like my second family. I will remember all of my teachers since they have also played a large part in my personal development in the past four years. I couldn’t choose a favorite teacher if my life depended on it. What I won’t forget, though, is Mrs. Stojanovska’s face when I flipped a desk I was sitting in or Mr. Uchacz’s words ‘Work hard and get a Maserati’ or Mr. Griffith’s habit of stealing hairclips, Mr. Donaldson’s open door policy and other history puns, Chief’s often and hilarious slips of the tongue and many other interesting moments. School would not have been the same without them.”
BRIANNA LUIS is the salutatorian. She is the daughter of Karen and Fred Luis. She was born in Clearwater and grew up in New Port Richey, attending Mittye P. Locke Elementary School and Gulf Middle School before coming to Gulf High School. She hopes to attend either Vassar College or Wellesley College and intends to major in psychology and eventually become a psychiatrist. Brianna has been on the Straight “A” Honor Roll all four years of high school, an AP Scholar with Honor, and earned Recognition of Academic Achievement and Excellence. She has been Vice President of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and a member of the National English Honor Society, the History Honor Society, the Math Honor Society, the Synergy Sociology Club, and the Women’s Resource Group. She has been Librarian and Section Leader in Gulf High’s band. Brianna plays saxophone and guitar, runs a blog, and likes to watch films and listen to a lot of music. Asked what she liked about GHS, Brianna wrote, “First of all, I love that GHS isn’t the stereotypical high school; Everybody has a place here. Then, of course, we all know that our teachers really are the best, and we’re definitely lucky to have them. I owe so much to Ms. Ledman, Ms. Winslow, Mrs. Stoj, Mrs. Ferry, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Rutherford, and Mr. Zions.”
MACKENZIE MARQUES is the IB valedictorian. She is the daughter of Shannon Myers Marques and Edmund Marques. She was born in Dunedin and grew up in Hudson, attending Bishoop Larkin Catholic School and Hudson Middle School before coming to Gulf. She hopes to attend Duke University and study Biomedical Engineering. Mackenzie is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and a Barnes Scholarship winner, and won the 2014 GHS Varsity Volleyball Coaches’ Award. She has been President of the Interact Club, President of the National Honor Society, President of the National History Honor Society, and Secretary of the Leo Club. She has been a member of the Society of Young Philosophers, National English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the Math Honor Society. She played varsity volleyball. She listed her favorite teachers as Mr. Page, Mr. Griffith, Ms. Ledman, and Mrs. Alwood.
AAKASH PANJABI is an IB co-salutatorian.
JAYSSE IVAN TANGHAL is an IB co-salutatorian. He is the son of Charisse Tahghal and Jay Tanghal. He was born in the Philippines and moved to the U. S. at about age 10. He lives in Hudson and attended Hudson elementary and middle schools before coming to Gulf. He is undecided on college and hopes to enter either the medical or business field. Jaysse took first place in district and states at the Future Business Leaders of America competition in Banking and Financial Systems. He has served as President of FBLA and treasurer of the National Science Honor Society. He has been a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and National History Honor Society.
