Highlands County's Top Students Recognized at Banquet

SEBRING - In Sebring High School's cafeteria Saturday evening, Charles Reynolds told the 226 high-achieving students being honored there that "life is about choices."

Amy Hart, Sebring's valedictorian, hadn't picked out her major yet, even though she's doing some sort of engineering track. But she knew what it took to earn her 5.26 grade point average, the highest among the three public high school's senior classes.

"Just stay focused, mostly," said Hart, who is this year's Andrew Miracle Award winner.

The 45th annual banquet, sponsored by Scholarship Recognition, Inc., brought advice, food, and for 40 of the graduating seniors, a $200 scholarship.

"Do remember, God didn't promise you a rose garden, but he said 'I'll be with you all the way,'" said Theda Miracle, Andrew Miracle's widow.

Sebring senior Chad Cowan was pumped when his name was randomly drawn for one of the 40 scholarships.

"I never thought I was able to get an award like this," the future University of South Florida marketing major said as he was fidgeting with the envelope holding his award letter.

One student from each high school also won a $200 Superintendent's Turnaround Award for overcoming obstacles and hardships to succeed in school. Deputy Superintendent Rodney Hollinger gave the awards to Duliana Charlot of Avon Park, John Boggus of Sebring and Emily Spaid of Lake Placid.

The 226 graduating Highlands County seniors honored at the banquet earned a GPA of 3.4 or higher. In addition to the $200 scholarships, Hart, Michelle Caibio of APHS and Yesica Hurtado of LPHS won $500 valedictorian scholarships. Mary Midence of SHS, Casey McKibben of APHS and Jessica Coury of LPHS netted $450 salutatorian scholarships.