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It's time for pomp and circumstance

By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: May 27, 2009

TAMPA - Thousands of high school seniors will graduate from Hillsborough public schools beginning Thursday.

Alonso is first in the area, with 650 students expected to graduate at 3 p.m. at the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Valedictorian Brittany Marlin, who has a 6.28 grade-point average, and salutatorian Jason Weesner, with a 6.24 GPA, will speak, along with school namesake Braulio Alonso.

Gaither and Sickles will follow on Friday. Gaither's ceremony for 500 graduates starts at 3 p.m. at the Sun Dome. Valedictorian Wade Henriquez has a 6.64 GPA, and salutatorian Laurence Vincent has a 6.53 GPA.

Sickles' 617 seniors will graduate at 7 p.m., also at the Sun Dome. The school's valedictorian and salutatorian have GPAs among the highest in the county. Deepika Prasad Kulkarni, the valedictorian, has a 7.6 GPA, and Bharath Kumar Alamanda has a 7.28.

Commencement for 506 Freedom students takes place at 3 p.m. Monday at the Sun Dome. Speakers include valedictorian Andrew Zarzeski, who has a 6.92 GPA, and salutatorian Yashobha Ranaweera, with a 6.74 GPA.

Chamberlain graduates its 465-member class at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Sun Dome. The valedictorian is Andrew MacInnes, who has a 6.67 GPA. Michael Petresky, who has a 6.65 GPA, is salutatorian.

Leto will hold its ceremony for 397 students at 3 p.m. June 3 at the Sun Dome. Valedictorian Luis Daza graduates with a 6.20 GPA, and salutatorian Giselle Gonzalez has a 6.08 average.

Caminiti Exceptional Center holds commencement at 7 p.m. Thursday in the school multipurpose room.

Area private schools also are bidding their seniors farewell. Carrollwood Day School's first senior class from CDS Prep will graduate Sunday. Berkeley Preparatory School also holds commencement Sunday. Cambridge Christian School graduated its students on May 22.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (727) 451-2343.

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