For Geoffrey Barthle, returning to Plant City High School is more than a new job. It is a chance to give back to the community that helped shape him. Barthle, a Plant City native and 2022 graduate of PCHS, has returned to his alma mater as the school’s new band director. Having once stood on […]
Continue ReadingSchools
SCHOOL IS BACK
As students return to school, drivers are sharing the road with buses and, hopefully, slowing down in school zones. Here are the eight most important rules and reminders, straight from Florida law and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 1. Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended […]
Continue Reading13 Years. Zero absences.
Perfect attendance isn’t easy. It takes commitment, planning, and, sometimes, a little luck. For Darius Donaldson-Dunphy, a 2026 Plant City High School graduate, it also took a mother who made education a family priority from the very beginning. Donaldson-Dunphy recently received recognition for never missing a single day of school from kindergarten through 12th grade […]
Continue ReadingCommunity Comes Together to “Stuff the Bus” for Local Students
For many families, the back-to-school season brings excitement. It also brings the expense of school supplies. Thanks to the annual Stuff the Bus program, hundreds of local students will head back to class with one less thing to worry about. The annual Stuff the Bus program, organized through the Kiwanis Club in partnership with Unity […]
Continue ReadingDurant High Junior Inspires Thousands as National AVID Student Speaker
For most high school students, summer means a break from classes and a chance to relax before the next school year begins. For Durant High School student Adalee Szczech, however, this summer brought an extraordinary opportunity: the chance to stand on a national stage and share her story with more than 2,000 people. Szczech, who […]
Continue ReadingCaps off to the graduating class of 2026
Edited in Tezza with: Goldie ScreenshotContinue Reading
Durant High School Valedictorian
2026 Valedictorian: Andrew O’TooleGRADE POINT AVERAGE – 7.88 What accomplishment are you most proud of from your high school years, and why? I am most proud of staying committed to my goals and finishing high school strong. It showed me that hard work and consistency can pay off. Was there a teacher, mentor, or experience […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Crest High School IB Valedictorian
Ashank Saravanan IB Valedictorian 2026 GPA: 10.09 What accomplishment are you most proud of from your high school years, and why? Being a National Merit Finalist is probably the achievement I’m most proud of. Unlike getting first place in a competition or event, being a Finalist allows me to get a huge scholarship for college. […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Crest High School IB Salutatorian
Varun Gajjar: IB Salutatorian 2026 What accomplishment are you most proud of from your high school years, and why? Some accomplishments I am most proud of from my high school years come from my time competing with Strawberry Crest’s Debate team. As a public forum competitor, I achieved many first-place wins at debate competitions across […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Crest High School Traditional Valedictorian
Brayan Perez-Granados: Traditional Valedictorian 2026 GPA: 7.92 What accomplishment are you most proud of from your high school years, and why? The accomplishment I am most proud is receiving the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship, which gives me a 4-year full-ride scholarship covering tuition, room and board, food, etc. This accomplishment made me realize that all my […]
Continue Reading
