April 18, 2024
An Azalea Middle School teacher and a Seminole High student received national recognition at the Magnet Schools of America Conference this week. Pinellas Merit Award winners were also honored.
Azalea Middle School engineering and aviation teacher Willis Reese III was honored as the Region III Teacher of the Year at the conference in New York City. Reese serves as department chair and commander of the school's Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron. The award recognizes magnet teachers who promote diversity for students in magnet schools.
Seminole High senior Madison Russo, who attends the school's Center for Education and Leadership, was also recognized for winning an Executive Magnet Leadership Scholarship. Students are selected based on essays, leadership, academics, peer relations, awards, honors, and community activities.
"The student interning experience has allowed me to see the impact I can make on the lives of children, and there is nothing more fulfilling to me than just that," Madison wrote in her essay.
This year, 18 Pinellas schools also won national Merit Awards from Magnet Schools of America.
