2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Boca Ciega High Valedictorian 

GPA: 4.6034

Future Plans: Williams College

Motto / Message:
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Life is too brief to be lived without purpose or passion. As Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us to believe in our dreams, may we build lives that become a mosaic of moments we truly chose.

Boca Ciega High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.4179

Future Plans: Florida Gulf Coast University

Motto / Message:
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” -  Marcus Aurelius

Clearwater High Valedictorian 

GPA: 4.7910

Future Plans: Undecided

Motto / Message:
When life gets hard, there’s always ChatGPT.

Clearwater High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6327

Future Plans: University of South Florida

Motto / Message:
It only has to make sense to you.

Countryside High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.8173

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message:
"Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible" - Albert Einstein

Countryside High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.7245

Dunedin High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6354

Future Plans: University of North Florida

Motto / Message:
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026! It's important that we take pride in our accomplishments and recognize everything we've achieved throughout our years in high school. This major accomplishment is just a small leap for the vast number of possibilities we have in our futures.

Dunedin High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6327

Future Plans: Florida State University

Motto / Message: 
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work as hard" - Tim Tebow

East Lake High - Engineering Valedictorian

GPA: 4.8100

Future Plans: Yale University

Motto / Message:
"It's about drive, it's about power, we stay hungry, we devour, put in the work, put in the hours and take what's ours" - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

East Lake High - Engineering Salutatorian

GPA: 4.7551

Future Plans: University Central of Florida

East Lake High - Traditional Valedictorian

GPA: 4.8729

East Lake High - Traditional Salutatorian

GPA: 4.8273

Gibbs High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.5278

Future Plans: University of Central Florida

Motto / Message: 
Venturing into the unknown requires confrontation of your fears, don’t live with them, get uncomfortable. 

Gibbs High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.5091

Future Plans: St. Petersburg College

Motto / Message:
A broken equation famously grounded the bumblebee. Society will similarly project its own limitations as your absolute boundaries. You are immune to their faulty logic. You hold the terrifying autonomy to eclipse every expectation or entirely unravel, answering only to the weight of your own choices.

Hollins High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.7736

Future Plans: University of South Florida

Motto / Message: 
Don't give up, for even if it's dark outside, the sun is always shining somewhere.

Hollins High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.7544

Future Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lakewood High - CAT Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6563

Future Plans: Johns Hopkins University

Motto / Message:
Step up when others won't.

Lakewood High - CAT Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6121

Future Plans: University of Rochester

Motto / Message: Focus on yourself and how you can improve, because that's the only thing you can control.

Lakewood High - Traditional Valedictorian

GPA: 4.4318

Future Plans: Temple University

Motto / Message:
Read books. Be weird! Get angry! Embarrass yourself! Let go. Hold on.

You truly only live once, so is it better to speak or to die? 
Live your life knowing that you explored every path. Dance in the rain, get wet, and live a little. Well, no, live A LOT.

Lakewood High - Traditional Salutatorian

GPA: 4.3033

Future Plans: University of South Florida

Motto / Message:
While one is alive, one must love as much as one can.

Mientras uno está vivo Uno debe amar lo más que pueda.

Largo High - IB Valedictorian

GPA: 4.7586

Future Plans: University of Notre Dame

Motto / Message:
There are 8 billion people on my hardcore server named ‘Earth’. 

Largo High - IB Salutatorian

GPA: 4.7458

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message:
As you take each step forward, stay curious and chase what drives you, because the future is bright, and this is just the beginning. 

Largo High - Traditional Co-Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6977

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message:
Don't take the little moments for granted - always live life to the fullest.

Largo High - Traditional Co-Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6875

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message:
Do as much as you can with what you have, and with that, do more.

Largo High - Traditional Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6667

Future Plans: Florida State University

Motto / Message:
As you step into what’s next, remind yourself that your individuality is irreplaceable and you will leave your own unique mark on the world. Be proud that you’ve made it this far, and always do your best—not with the intention to outdo others, but to outgrow who you currently are.

Northeast High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6596

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message: 
Be present. Be engaged. Follow through.

Northeast High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6471

Future Plans: U.S. Air Force Academy

Motto / Message: 
Do hard things.

Osceola Fundamental High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.7800

Future Plans: Florida State University

Osceola Fundamental High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6429

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message:
Above all else, remember to keep the childlike wonder inside you alive. The part of you that wants to explore and that loves deeply, because it is important to treat life like the adventure that it is. Always strive to be loyal, kind, brave and true to yourself.

Palm Harbor University High - IB Valedictorian

GPA: 4.7571

Future Plans: Georgia Institute of Technology

Motto / Message:
“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Palm Harbor University High - IB Salutatorian

GPA: 4.7414

Future Plans: Duke University

Motto / Message:
We spent four years stressing over deadlines, just to realize the best part was the people we were procrastinating with. So keep saying yes to new people because in the end, it's the memories, experiences, and communities you were in that become forever.

Palm Harbor University High - Traditional Valedictorian

GPA: 4.7083

Future Plans: Florida State University

Motto / Message:
Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Palm Harbor University High - Traditional Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6429

Future Plans: Florida State University

Motto / Message:
True success is defined not only by your accomplishments, but also contributing to the success of others.
 

Pinellas Park High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6038

Future Plans: University of South Florida

Motto / Message:
Perfection was never the goal. Growth was. And no mistake can erase what you’ve achieved, so work hard, play harder, and live life on your own terms.

Pinellas Park High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.5521

Future Plans: University of South Florida

Motto / Message:
For a long time, I couldn't tell if I was doing things the right way; what I do know, though, is that I tried my best at it. I hope you can look back and say the same thing too.

Richard O. Jacobson Tech High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6583

Future Plans: University of South Florida

Motto / Message:
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others” - Audrey Hepburn

Richard O. Jacobson Tech High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6042

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message: 
This was the chapter where our paths met. Now we get to see where everyone's story goes next. Remember, what you decide to write in your book is up to you.

Seminole High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.8036

Future Plans: Anderson University

Motto / Message:
"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect unity" - Colossians 3:14

Seminole High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.7083

Future Plans: Undecided

St. Petersburg High - IB Co-Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6964

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto or Message: 
Keep pushing forward, you are capable of so much more than you realize!

St. Petersburg High - IB Co-Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6964

Future Plans: University of Florida

St. Petersburg High - IB Co-Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6964

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message:
The world is as big as you want it to be. Where will you go next?

St. Petersburg High - IB Co-Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6964

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto / Message: 
Perfection is a delicate balance of success and failure. Don't ever be afraid to make mistakes along the way!

St. Petersburg High - IB Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6897

Future Plans: University of Florida

Motto or Message: 
Candles don’t lose anything from lighting other candles. Helping others, sharing knowledge, or spreading kindness doesn’t take anything away from you. 

St. Petersburg High - Traditional Valedictorian

GPA: 4.6863

Future Plans: Boston University

Motto / Message:
Growth starts where your comfort zone ends.

St. Petersburg High - Traditional Salutatorian

GPA: 4.6296

Future Plans: University of Florida

Tarpon Springs High Valedictorian

GPA: 4.9340

Future Plans: Brown University

Motto / Message:
"Don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."
- Michelle Obama

Tarpon Springs High Salutatorian

GPA: 4.8542

Future Plans: University of Central Florida

Motto / Message:
The answer to your problems are right in front of you. It's your choice to pursue these solutions instead of straying away from them.