Justin Vick

WESLEY CHAPEL –  Principal Robyn White offered four songs to inspire the Class of 2025 as they leave Wiregrass Ranch High School to pursue their dreams. 

White said graduates embodied resilience and determination, qualities reflected in songs like Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”

“Each challenge you faced has only made you more resilient and prepared for the future,” White told them during graduation. “You’ve learned to fight for your dreams and stand a little taller.”

White told graduates to believe in themselves and stay hopeful, echoing the spirit of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” and to face challenges with the strength and courage of Katy Perry’s “Roar.”

White has presided over Wiregrass Ranch graduations for 13 years as principal but this would be her last. 

“As I retire after 39 years in education, the last 20 of which have been in Pasco County, I can’t think of a better time to go,” White said. “I leave with a heart full of gratitude and pride knowing that the future is in the hands of such capable and inspiring young individuals.”

Graduates also spoke about the relativity of time. 

Salutatorian Nicholas Kovacs said looking back at high school was already starting to feel like a dream, though it felt like a lifetime going through the past four years.

Valedictorian Austin McCallister said that if someone would have told him that it would take 4,500 hours to finish high school, it would have seemed like an eternity. He compared the experience to climbing a mountain. 

“Mountains aren’t supposed to be climbed all at once,” McCallister said. “They are climbed step by step – one class, one hour, one caffeine-fueled all-nighter at a time. And look around, we made it.”

McCallister nudged classmates to continue climbing new mountains as they emerge and not be afraid to fall or forge new paths. 

Student Council President Amera Gardner alluded to this in her speech, recalling a mix of excitement and anxiety she felt on the first day of high school.

“We weren’t just the new kids,” Gardner explained. “We were the first full class to return after COVID, stepping into a school, still trying to find its rhythm. But instead of easing in, we brought that energy, we showed up, we got involved and we redefined what normal meant.”

Gardner described how the Class of 2025 finds itself in a familiar spot, ready to fly from the nest but with some apprehension of leaving. She assured classmates they are ready to fly.

“Tonight we soar,” she said, “together, apart and forever connected.”

WESLEY CHAPEL – Pierre-Etienne Boisvert encountered a pair of challenges that could have derailed his education. Instead, they became brief mentions in his salutatorian speech June 4 at Wesley Chapel High School.

Boisvert shared with fellow graduates how he moved from Canada to Florida with very little knowledge of English when he was 10 years old. He overcame the language barrier in about a year thanks to Google Translate and Duolingo.

During the COVID-19 pandemic. Boisvert thrived in virtual learning, earning A’s for a whole year. This motivated him to try to get all A’s throughout high school, bringing the honor of salutatorian within reach. 

Boisvert encouraged classmates to reach their goals. 

“In the future, let’s move forward towards our dreams no matter what,” he said. “Through sheer perseverance and overcoming any obstacle in our way, we will be able to become something greater.”

The Class of 2025 is off to a great start, earning more than $4 million in scholarships, according to Principal Matt McDermott. Among the graduates, McDermott said, 259 graduated with honors, 23 received AP Capstone diplomas, 20 earned associate degrees and nine are enlisting in the Armed Forces.

“I have no doubt in my classmates’ abilities to carry through with their goals because I’ve seen the devotion that brought them here today to walk across this stage with pride in more than just their academic and athletic accomplishments,” Valedictorian Sean Donahue said in a humor-infused speech. “I do, however, doubt their ability to park in between the lines.”

McDermott also recognized the 18 student-athletes that signed scholarships to compete at the collegiate level. 

The Class of 2025 won conference, district and regional titles in various sports, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, golf, tennis, track, volleyball and weightlifting. 

Then there was the Wildcat band that won superior ratings in several state assessments.

Speaking of music, McDermott channeled a verse from Canadian singer-songwriter Josh Ross: “Life is short and time is swift, do what you love and love what you do.”

“These words hold a profound truth,” McDermott told students. “They remind us that our journey through life is fleeting. And it is essential to pursue your passions and find joy in your endeavors.”

McDermott reminded graduates how they showed resilience, creativity and a commitment to excellence as they faced challenges. He encouraged them to carry those qualities with them into the next chapter of their lives. 

TAMPA – The Tampa Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 10 by staging as speakeasy at The Columbia Restaurant in the Ybor City area.  

Co-chaired by Tampa Chapter Regent Sarah Hughes and Honorary Regent Bobbie Schofield, the speakeasy was complete with green door and password (Sparkle). Most guests appeared in Roaring 20s attire.  

Greeted by songs from the 1920s, guests were immediately immersed in the speakeasy atmosphere, enhanced by appearances by (flat) Al Capone, Colleen Moore, Don Lockwood and Lena Lamont and Charlie Chaplin.  

Other special guests included Florida State DAR Regent Cindy Addison from Fleming Island, State Vice Regent Kim Zeman from Deerfield Beach, State Registrar Jennifer Marks from Lithia and State Recording Secretary Laura Marriott from Longwood.  

The 120 guests included members from 15 other DAR chapters.  

Led by the Hillsborough River Unit of the Florida SAR Son’s of Liberty Brigade, the festivities began with a procession of color guard, chapter officers and state regent.  

Florida State Regent Cindy Addison’s remarks complimented chapters that lasted long enough to celebrate 100 years, with many of Florida’s chapters celebrating that milestone in the 2020s.  

The program also included presentations of gifts to each Tampa Chapter member in attendance, a check for $750 for the Florida state regent’s project and a skit starring Chapter Regent Sarah Hughes, Corresponding Secretary Madison Wise and Chapter Treasurer and Honorary Regent Bobbie Schofield.  

The Regents, State and Chapter, then lit the sparkling “candles” on the spectacular cake. 

Hughes then presented a moving and heartfelt toast to the past and the future of the Tampa Chapter doing Great Things in Tampa.  

A proclamation signed by Mayor Jane Castor was on display that declared May 10, 2025 as Tampa Chapter NSDAR 100th Anniversary Day in Tampa.  

Also on display were several images of Tampa in 1925.  

Of special note in the silent auction was a decades-old copy of “The Famous DAR Murder Mystery” by Graham Landrum.  

All the guests expressed themselves as having had a great time.

As we enter what’s predicted to be a dynamic hurricane season, many Tampa Bay residents may have an emergency plan, but it’s just as important to make sure you are financially ready.

Here are five tips to help you financially prepare ahead of the significant impacts of a storm:

• Create a financial first-aid kit. Put copies of any important physical financial documents that might be needed immediately in a waterproof “go-bag,” such as financial statements, utility bills, credit card statements, insurance policy account numbers, health insurance cards, medical records and more. Consider switching to secure electronic delivery for bank, credit card and other financial statements to prevent misplacing hard-copy financial records.  
• Protect and preserve important documents. Store other key papers you’re likely to need in the future, such as recent tax returns, property deeds, and brokerage and retirement account information, in a safe-deposit box or home safe that can resist fire, water or structural damage. You may also consider scanning important documents and uploading them to a reliable cloud-based storage service.
• Evaluate your insurance. Your current homeowner policies may not give adequate protection around certain natural disasters such as floods. Whether you rent or own, it’s good practice to take pictures or a video of the property – inside and out. Also note the make, model, serial number and purchase date of big-ticket items such as electronics, artwork or jewelry you may have to leave behind. Lastly, be sure to upgrade your insurance whenever you update your home.    
• Establish a source of ready cash. Even with insurance, disaster-related out-of-pocket costs – including unplanned living expenses, if you’re displaced for a time – can be high. To bolster your emergency savings, consider talking with a financial advisor about potentially opening a flexible line of credit such as a home equity line of credit that you can tap in the event of an emergency. You could also consider obtaining a line of credit secured with other assets, such as your investments, or see if your bank has low-cost, short term loan programs.
• Share information with family members. In many households, one person may manage most financial activities. It’s important that other family members know what expenses or bills have to be paid, where to locate the checking and savings accounts and how to access other important documents. Having regular family financial meetings to discuss where stuff is stored, and how your filing system works can prevent potential confusion and miscommunication.  

No one wants to consider the possibility of a hurricane disrupting their life, but taking practical steps and having a solid financial plan can help you stay resilient when the next storm hits.

Michael Esposito serves as president of Bank of America Tampa Bay.