Top row: Brittany Adams, valedictorian; Jessika Eglin, salutatorian
Botttom row: Shree Sundaresh, IB valedictorian; Corey Palermo, co-IB salutatorian; Aishwarya Subramanian, co-IB salutatorian
Brittany Marie Adams is the valedictorian. She is the daughter of William John Stickles and Machelle Suzanne Cates. Her GPA is 4.3500. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison and major in chemistry or biochemistry. She was born in Rockford, Illinois. Before attending Gulf, she attended G. R. A. C. E. Elementary School, Ellis Arts Academy, Mary Morgan Elementary School, and West Middle School. She is a National Merit Commended Student and the school winner of the PRIDE Social Studies award. Her interests include mixed martial arts, reading, anything that keeps her active, and sleeping when possible.
Jessika Paige Eglin is the salutatorian. She is the daughter of Patricia and Edward Pryll. Her GPA is 4.0714. She plans to attend George Washington University and major in political science with a minor in gender and women’s studies and American history. She was born in Ohio and before coming to Gulf attended Firestone, Park, and Anclote elementary schools and Gulf Middle School. She has been the band quartermaster and a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Teen Court, and Tri-M (band honor society). She interned in Washington for eight weeks at the International Women’s Democracy Center. Her hobbies include reading and sleep when she can get it.
Shree Sundaresh is the IB valedictorian. She is the daughter of Suma and K. V. Sundaresh. Her GPA is 4.7380. She has been accepted at Stanford University and expects to attend that school. She hopes to major in neuroscience and pursue a career in medicine. She was born in New Port Richey. She is the winner of the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award, a National Merit finalist, the Pasco County Outstanding Senior, winner of the Silver Award (Girl Scouts), winner of the Bausch & Lomb Science Award, first place winner in the Emeric Lazar Piano Competition, third place winner in the Erma Coleman piano competition, winner of the Florida Folk-Life Apprenticeship Scholarship (for dance), and received “Sobresaliente” (outstanding) in the State Spanish competition. Her interests include Indian classical dance, piano, and Girl Scouts. She was a member of the English Honor Society and National Honor Society, was President of the Spanish Honor Society and a People-to-People Student Ambassador.
Corey Alexander Palermo is the IB co-salutatorian. He is the son of Louis and Leah Palermo. His GPA is 4.7142. He was born in St. Petersburg and grew up in Dunedin. Before coming to Gulf he attended Dunedin Elementary School and Safety Harbor Middle School. He is currently awaiting acceptance or rejection letters from Harvard, Dartmouth, Columbia, Rice, and American universities. He will likely major in pre-medical studies with a concentration, minor, or double major in political science. He hopes to become a physician and then enter public service. He is the winner of the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award, a National Merit Finalist, the winner of the Dartmouth College Book Award, a New College Junior Scholar, three-time first place winner in the Tropicana 4-H Speech Competition, Speaker of the House at the American Legion Boys State of Florida, and he earned two sobresaliente ratings at the State Spanish Honor Society competition in 2011. His activities have included varsity weightlifting, Spanish Honor Society, International Thespian Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and the IB HL chemistry study group. His interests include poetry, weightlifting, witty banter, and all forms of films.
Aishwarya Subramanian is the IB co-salutatorian. She is the daughter of Thondikulam Subramanian and Indira Umamaheswaran. Her GPA is 4.7142. She hopes to attend either Columbia or Northwestern university and major in biological sciences. She plans to become an orthodontist. She was born in Kuwait and grew up in St. Louis and Tampa. Before attending Gulf, she attended Parway and Schwarzkopf elementary schools, Academy of the Lakes, and Williams and Seven Springs middle schools. She is the first place winner in Spanish Impromptu at the state competition, 2nd place winner in Precalculus at the Pasco County Mathematics Competition, 3rd place winner in Algebra II at the Pasco County Mathematics Competition, and 1st place winner at the Indian regional speech contest. Her activities include Spanish Honor Society (vice president), English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Odyssey of the Mind, Indian classical dance, Indian classical music, volleyball, Speech/Debate Camp, People to People Student Ambassadors, and Teen Advisory Board.
We asked these students to tell what they most liked or what they will remember about Gulf High School, or to list any favorite classes or teachers.
Brittany listed AP U. S. History, AP Government, AP Human Geography, AP Literature, and AP Microeconomics. She wrote, “All my teachers were awesome! Mrs. Jones made my graduation this year possible♥.” (Brittany will graduate high school in three years.)
Jessika wrote, “I will always remember Alwood and her crazy dancing in the middle of class to get us to remember something history related, spilling my morning coffee everywhere, locker, Mr. Donaldson’s floor.”
Shree wrote, “All of my IB teachers are amazing! I love the unity of our IB class.”
Corey wrote, “I feel honored to have been part of the evolution of GHS and of the IB program, such that the physical shape of the school and the mentality of the students reflected the students’ overall integrity and work ethic.”
Aish wrote, “I love all of my IB teachers!”
Students, if you wish to make any edits, email Mr. Miller.
