Caps off to class of 2016

Marisa Bregg

Parents: Ellen and Ken Bregg

High School: The Out-of-Door Academy

Extracurricular activities, community service and hobbies: Student Council secretary, student newspaper writer, Dance Club member, National Honor Society member

College plans: Rollins College

Major: Business

Dream job: Write skits for "Saturday Night Live" or be a food blogger.

Proudest accomplishment: "Winning secretary of my school was my proudest accomplishment. It allowed me to put myself out there in front of my peers and be myself."

William Parker

Parents:  Diana and Bill Michel

High School: Pine View School

Extracurricular activities, community service and hobbies: 2016 debutante escort, Cotillion Club member, Sarasota Crew rower, Rho Kappa History Honor Society member, National Honor society member

College plans: Cornell University College of Engineering

Major: Materials science and engineering

Dream job: Project leader at a major tech company (i.e. Google)

Proudest Accomplishment: "Winning Florida Scholastic Rowing Association state competition in the Men’s Varsity 8 was the perfect end to my senior year regular season. Four years ago, I won the Men’s Freshman 8 with many of the same rowers who I raced with this year, making it an incredibly memorable moment as it is the culmination of thousands of hours of our combined hard work as a unit and as a team. We now all continue on to our post-season racing as we make our way toward the 2016 USRowing Youth National Championships in Mercer, N.J. with high hopes and focus."

COLLEGE GRADUATE

Michelle Teresa Donato

Parents’ Names: Mary and John Donato

College: University of Florida Warrington College of Business, Heavener School of Business

Major: Bachelor of Science in business administration in finance and information systems

Extracurricular activities, community service and hobbies: President of Extreme Dance Company for the past two years, leading a team of more than 100 members; turned a hobby into a business, Donato’s Creations, by creating handmade crocheted items; served four years as a team captain for Relay for Life, establishing a team of 50-plus members who raised money for cancer research.

Postgrad plans: Working for Jabil, a global manufacturing services company, headquartered in St. Petersburg.

Dream Job:  "I want to be challenged, enjoy whatever work I do and the people I work with."

Proudest Accomplishment:  "I had a spinal cord stroke in April 2013 and was told that I may never walk again. I used this as a motivator, and through perseverance, determination and hard work, I am able to walk with walking sticks. I was able to finish college on time and obtained a dual major in finance and information systems. Although I could no longer dance, I became president of the Extreme Dance Company and choreographed while expanding my leadership skills."

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADUATE

Jake Pettingell

Parents: Roger and Alisa Pettingell

School: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

Extracurricular activities, community service and hobbies: Player of school’s junior varsity tennis team and golf team. Also enjoys anything with a ball and being on the water for wakeboarding.

College plans: Hopes to attend Florida State University someday

Dream job: Planning to be a professional tennis player, but his Realtor dad hopes he follows in his footsteps.