April 2, 2025
Pinellas County Schools recognized 450 high-achieving students at the Maria Edmonds Achievement Awards. Hundreds of family members, educators and administrators attended the event to celebrate their success.
The ceremony, which honors the legacy of Maria Edmonds, took place on Tuesday, April 1, at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Edmonds was an international advocate for women, children and Hispanics. Until her retirement, she served as Associate Provost at St. Petersburg College, where she had a 28-year career. She also served as a governor-appointed member of the Juvenile Welfare Board and a chairperson of the Hispanic Leadership Council. She passed away in 2017 following a courageous battle with cancer.
The event was hosted by Seminole High Principal Dr. Robert Ovalle and featured a presentation of colors by the Hollins High School Army JROTC, the national anthem by Pinellas Park High student Valeria Cadena-Bautista and performances by Northeast High student Mariah Cuevas and Largo High student Kyle Rosario.
Superintendent Kevin Hendrick thanked family members for making education a priority in their homes. He shared how the district has expanded resources to support Hispanic families and pledged to continue that work.
Keynote speaker Dr. Emmanuel Hernandez-Agosto encouraged students to persevere and to focus on the work ahead, not the obstacles they face.
"Maria (Edmonds) knew about the struggles and situations we, as Hispanics, face, and she chose not to accept them," said Hernandez-Agosto, who serves as dean of the College of Business at St. Petersburg College. "She thought less of her problems and more of her work."
Student speaker, East Lake High senior Maranda Rojas, acknowledged the challenges that students face, and shared that she works hard for her family, her future and for the generations to come.
"I can say with certainty, every challenge we’ve faced, every obstacle we’ve overcome, has only made us stronger," said Rojas, who plans to major in Health Sciences at Florida Atlantic University.
Suncoast Credit Union sponsored the event and generously awarded $1,000 scholarships to five students:
- Nicholas Belongie, Palm Harbor University High
- Lucas Restom Gaskill, Lakewood High School
- Alexander Briceno, Countryside High School
- Christopher Meza, Hollins High School
- Isabella Baltazar, Lozano- Dunedin High School
