Kicking off the meeting, the board recognized the winners of the 2024 Florida Space Art Contest. This initiative, launched under the theme “Suit-Up, Florida’s Space Suit of the Future,” invited students from across Florida to envision the next generation of space suits. The program was initiated by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez. Two finalists from Hillsborough County stood out: Sharon Gao from Mitchell Elementary and Gabriel Angeli from Lowry. Their artwork will be launched into space on an upcoming mission. The students were joined by their principals and art teachers, who provided support throughout the contest. Applause filled the room as the board acknowledged the artistic talents that these young students brought to the project.

The meeting then transitioned to recognizing the achievements of Hillsborough County students at the Invention Convention United States Nationals competition. Students who participated in the 2024 Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair earned top honors on a national level. Zoe Kidd from Hunter’s Green Elementary, who received a licensing potential award for her project “Pitch Protect,” was praised for her innovative thinking. Tanishka Aglave from Strawberry Crest High School secured third place for her work on managing citrus greening disease, a significant agricultural challenge. Daniel Park from King High School was also celebrated for his innovative project, which not only won a patent application but also advanced to a global competition, earning the Best in Show award. The board expressed pride in these students’ ability to represent the district on such prestigious platforms.

In addition to the art and STEM recognitions, the board honored high school students who participated in the New Worlds Scholar program, which focuses on literacy tutoring for younger students. Fifty high school students completed training and dedicated significant time to tutoring kindergarten through third-grade students, earning the New World Scholar Award.

Career, Technical, and Adult Education completion awards were another highlight of the meeting. Students and teachers from various programs were recognized for their accomplishments at both state and national levels. Joseph WoldeMichael from Durant High School made an impression with his ninth-place finish at the FBLA Leadership Conference, while Joshita Jagannathan from Liberty Middle School and students from Walker Middle Magnet were celebrated for their achievements in various categories. Matthew Aidington from Irwin Technical College’s first-place finish in commercial roofing, followed by a second-place national ranking, further exemplified the talent within the district’s technical education programs.

The board also honored the JROTC team from Newsome High School, which achieved first place in the 2024 U.S. Army JROTC National Raider Challenge. Additionally, Chef Erik Youngs from Erwin Technical College was acknowledged for obtaining certification from the American Culinary Federation.

Social studies educators were also celebrated for their contributions to student learning. Izabella Sellmer from Madison Middle School, Velana Hartwell from Boyette Springs, and Clare McFlynn from Riverview High School were named Social Studies Teachers of the Year for their respective grade levels. Each honoree was praised for innovative teaching methods, strong student relationships, and dedication to civic education, with the selection process involving rigorous nomination and portfolio reviews.

Environmental stewardship was recognized through the Florida Green Schools Program, with Riverview High School receiving the Green Apple Award for Environmental Sustainability. The school set a precedent as the first in the district to achieve this designation, thanks to efforts by the HCPS Green Teams and community members.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the Hillsborough County PTA/PTSA Notables, celebrating their efforts to strengthen family-school partnerships. Schools achieving the National PTA School of Excellence designation were highlighted for fostering environments that support academic success through collaboration between families and educators.