Focus: Congratulations, Gentlemen. Tell us first a little about your supportive families and the schools you have attended.
PATEL: My family includes my mother Mayuri, my father Jayesh and my brother Samir Patel, who will soon be a junior at PCHS. We enjoy going out for special meals and attending social gatherings together with friends. I’ve attended only three schools: Walden Lake Elementary, Tomlin Middle, and PCHS.
FISHER: My parents are Jeff and Karen Fisher and I have a brother, Duncan Fisher,
who’s 15. I spent all four years at Durant after Mulrennan Middle and Buckhorn Elementary. My family enjoys going out to dinner and just hanging out together.
GODINEZ: Maria and Ruben Godinez are my parents and my sister Karen is 20. She’s married to Jesus and has a son Pedro. We are a very close family and we’re good friends, too. We like to watch movies together. I attended elementary school at Jackson and at Escuela Primaria Jose Rolon in Mexico. Then I went to Tomlin, PCHS for one year and Strawberry Crest for three years. Focus: What did it take to become valedictorian and when did you decide to pursue that position?
PATEL: I have not long had a goal to be valedictorian, but I have always made education a priority. My weighted GPA was 8.92 and 4.0 unweighted. I’ve taken 14 AP classes and some online. Science was my favorite subject. The time I spent on studies varied quite a bit. FISHER: I knew in the 9th grade that I wanted to be a valedictorian. After 15 Advanced Placement courses my GPA is 6.715 weighted and 3.87 unweighted. I took one online course. History was my favorite subject and typically, I studied two hours a day.
GODINEZ: When I learned that I was ranked #1 at Strawberry Crest I was determined
to keep my position. With 15 AP classes, my weighted GPA is 7.0 and unweighted is 3.97. I took no high school courses online, but did 5 dual enrollment classes at Hillsborough Community College. My favorite subjects were Law Studies, Statistics, Weight Lifting and lunch. I usually studied for one to two hours a day. Focus: What are your plans for college?
PATEL: I will attend the University of South Florida in
Tampa as a USF Presidential Scholar and USF Honors Scholar and major in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training with the eventual intent to be an anesthesiologist. I’m thankful for the Bright Futures 1270 Scholarship and Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Scholarship, too.
“I have not long had a goal to be valedictorian, but I have always made education a priority” - Bijen Patel FISHER: I was awarded a freshman scholarship to
Florida State University and I plan to graduate there. I’m not sure at the moment as to a major.
GODINEZ: I will attend Duke University on their
Trinity Scholarship and then law school with plans to become a prosecuting attorney. Additionally, I’m
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thankful for the Barnes Scholarship and a Hillsborough County Scholar Athletes Scholarship as well as scholarships from St. Clement’s Catholic Church, Unity in the Community, Plant City Chamber of Commerce, SCHS Booster Club. Focus: Will you mention a few favorite teachers, classes and strong influences?
PATEL: I would like to give a shout out to Mr.
Padgett. He has been my teacher for three years now and is a phenomenal advanced placement teacher. Since ninth grade he has prepared me for rigorous course work and has played a role in my success. He set me on the right path early in high school. Mrs. Rice, who I have known for 10 years now, is another teacher who has always been there for me. Mr. Schism is a phenomenal English teacher who gives great advice for life through his daily lessons. One person who has had a great influence on me is my dad. He worked very hard to get to where he is at now, and he continues to work hard on a daily basis.
FISHER: Mr. Haczynski in AP Human Geogra-
phy and in Philosophy opened my eyes on how to look at life. Mr. Shimkus, who teaches AP U.S. History and AP Government, is a great teacher and someone who really knows his subject.
“My five-year goal is to graduate from Duke and be enrolled in Duke’s Law School. Within ten years I hope to pass the bar exam and become a member of the Hillsborough County District Attorney’s Office.”
GODINEZ: Mr. Boyd in AP World History helped me discover a love for history. Mr. Meredith in AP - Ruben Godinez U.S. History guided me and helped with college applications and recommended me for several scholarships. Mr. Compton in AP U.S. Government helped me to prepare many essays for scholarships. I admire my mother because she does not only work from 7AM-4PM, but also from 4PM-7AM. She never stops providing for our family. She’s an inspiration and a role model. Focus: With what activities were you involved?
PATEL: I earned community service hours and enjoyed the work environment in the
surgery center at our local hospital. I was also involved in Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, Math Club, Academic Club, National Junior Honor Society, Key Club and the Special Olympics.
FISHER: I was a member of National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor So-
ciety and recognized as Order of the Elks- Student of the Year. I played JV and Varsity football, performed 100+ community service hours at TOPS and Cracker Country, and I worked at Publix.
GODINEZ: I served as President of National Honor Society at SCHS, belonged to Mu Alpha Theta, took 5 dual enrollment classes at HCC, played SCHS soccer as team captain and traveled also with the Plant City Lancers soccer team. I am employed at