April 29, 2025
Photo: (Top left to right) Jacob Kolosey – Head Coach, James Michalski, Brody Whiteside, Christopher Briggs – Co-coach, Brody Whiteside, John Toronski – Director of Pinellas Academic Team (Bottom left to right) Ayden Khalil, Patricia Crews, Emily Solondz, and Tejas Sriram
Students from East Lake, Hollins, Largo, Palm Harbor University, and St. Petersburg high schools captured the Division I state title at the Commissioner's Academic Team Challenge. The competition was held on April 24 in Orlando.
The prestigious tournament tests students' knowledge across various subjects, including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, world languages, physical education, health, and technology.
This is the Pinellas County Schools' seventh first-place victory in the history of the Commissioner's Academic Challenge. Congratulations to the winning team: James Michalski of Hollins High, Brody Whiteside of St. Petersburg High, Ayden Khalil of Palm Harbor University High, Patricia Crews of Largo High, and Emily Solondz and Tejas Sriram, both of East Lake High
The head coach was Jacob Kolosey of Hollins High, and the co-coach was Christopher Briggs of Palm Harbor University High.
In addition, Ayden Khalil and James Michalski were selected for the 2025 Florida Academic Team. As a result, each earned a $1,000 scholarship.
The event, known as the Florida Tournament of Academic Excellence, was originally launched by Polk County Public Schools. The competition became the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge when the Florida Department of Education became involved in the early 1990s.
