Last week Polk County Public Schools hosted the About-Face Awards, where we honored more than 50 students for making positive changes and academic improvements.
The annual ceremony, held at the Bartow Civic Center, recognizes secondary students from Polk County public and charter schools who have made significant turnarounds in their grades, attendance or behavior.
Click here to see our photo gallery from the event.
Click here to see our video from this year’s ceremony.
Thank you to our longtime sponsor, TECO Energy, and congratulations to this year’s honorees:
Auburndale High
Zaylen Drasdo
Bartow Middle
Chrishaun Merricks
Bartow High
Keegan Group
Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
Christopher Rivera-Ortiz
Compass Middle Charter
Nathalie Roque
Crystal Lake Middle
Nelson Suasnavar
Daniel Jenkins Academy
Michael Dillon Rosenberg
Davenport School of the Arts
Patrick Hillman
Denison Middle
Ciara Jefferson
Discovery High
Luis Alejandre
Donald E. Woods Opportunity Center
Angel Velazquez (middle school division)
Donald E. Woods Opportunity Center
Abraham Maldonado (high school division)
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center
David Matlick
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy
Jacob Dennis
East Area Adult School
Garrett Rosser
Fort Meade Middle-Senior
Bryson Linton (middle school division)
Fort Meade Middle-Senior
Heaven Sargent (high school division)
Fresh Start Community Campus
Keshawn Hill
Frostproof Middle-Senior
Eric Handy (middle school division)
Frostproof Middle-Senior
Kaneisha Smith (high school division)
Gause Academy of Leadership
Demetriana Matthews (middle school division)
Gause Academy of Leadership
Westley Steny (high school division)
George W. Jenkins High
Davoris Washington
Haines City International Baccalaureate
Krishanti Ellis
Haines City High
Angel Algarin
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle
Zachary Vitagliano
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet
Zariya Davis
Jewett School of the Arts
William Halterman
Kathleen Middle
Jalon Hines
Kathleen High
Zachery Radeboldt
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy
Kayden Arnold
Lake Gibson Middle
Christopher Wann
Lake Gibson High
Corbin Freeman
Lake Marion Creek Middle
Arouscadie Pierrilus
Lake Region High
Tazeneigh Felder
Lakeland Highlands Middle
Cameron Clark
Lakeland High
Michael Martinez
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
Melvin Carrasquillo
McKeel Academy of Technology
Jade’a Pope
McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts Academy
Brian Pena De Jesus
Mulberry Middle
Shakeem Denson
Mulberry High
Mauricio Perez Pacheco
New Beginnings High
Da’Quan Collins
Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School
Derong Wu
Polk Virtual School
Brianna Coulter (middle school division)
Polk Virtual School
Jay Loyd (high school division)
Ridge Community High
Juan Rosas DeLa-Cruz
Ridge Technical College
Juliana Perez
Rochelle School of the Arts
Jacob Rodriguez Sosa
Roosevelt Academy
Samantha Benitez
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy
Taijah Williams
Shelley S. Boone Middle
Ruddy Duran Rodriguez
Sleepy Hill Middle
Tryce Howard
Southwest Middle
T’Shyri Evans
Summerlin Academy
Krystal Wilson
Traviss Technical College
Jasmine Gonzales
Union Academy
Jose Camacho
West Area Adult School
Tiffany Lemus
Westwood Middle
Darion Maze
Winter Haven High
Kayla Pridgen
