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Tribune Honors Top Seniors

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By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 28, 2008

TAMPA - If Hillsborough County's high school seniors are any indication, the nation's youngest voters will head to the polls in November because they can and because they realize their vote will make a difference.

That was the recurring theme in essays submitted by nearly 300 of the county's top public and private school students for an annual scholarship competition.

For half a century, The Tampa Tribune has recognized the top scholars based on their grade-point averages. This year, most of the 333 seniors honored chose to compete for a college scholarship with an essay.

The question students were asked was, "If you were eligible, what would inspire you to vote in the November presidential election?"

Few students declared their passion for a particular candidate. Most said that they are looking for leadership to tackle specific issues, including Iraq and the environment. Others said a candidate's position on an issue such as abortion will determine their vote.

This group of students represents a diverse cross-section of seniors. Some are from homes where English isn't a first language, a number will be the first to attend college and some are from families facing illness, job layoffs, poverty or the attempted suicide of a parent.

The entrants included more than 50 students planning careers in medicine or related fields, and more than 35 have plans to study engineering, the top career choices in previous years as well.

More than a dozen seniors chose business-related fields, and psychology had at least nine takers. Music, political science and journalism were not far behind. There is one actor in training, a potential pastor and several who want to attend military academies.

Most spoke to the power and the privilege that soon will be theirs at the voting booth.

Sayeef Mirza wrote of the "polluting injustice" in his father's native country of Bangladesh in contrast to the United States, where some people choose not to vote.

"To not exercise that right is to not have that right at all," Mirza writes in his winning essay. "And to not have the right to voice your opinion is injustice to the human intellect."

A senior in the academy of health professions at Tampa Bay Technical High School, Mirza is one of five winners of a $2,000 R.F. "Red" Pittman scholarship within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Mirza is headed to the University of South Florida for its seven-year medical program.

The other winners are:

•Justen Brewster, a senior at Newsome High School, who is headed to Clemson University to major in engineering.

•Victoria Castrillo, a senior at Tampa Catholic High School who was accepted at the University of Florida and plans to major in communications.

•Stacy Glass, a senior at Alonso High enrolled at the University of South Florida with plans to major in biomedical science.

•Elise Mark, a senior at Freedom High who was accepted to the University of Florida's vocal performance program in the school of music.

Castrillo was among students who called on Americans complaining about the direction our nation has taken to "vote for a candidate who represents the direction they wish the country to go toward."

"As an Army brat whose father was stationed in Iraq for a year, I have an intimate understanding that there is a heavy price paid for our many freedoms and liberties we enjoy," she wrote.

Students Seek New Direction

It's not just adults who are fed up with rhetoric in this election. Many of those preparing to vote for the first time say they have had enough.

After commenting on the destructive nature of politics, Brewster wrote, "Instead of being a vessel of negativity and destruction, my vote has the power to inject character into the election and help select the presidential candidate who rises above the vengeful atmosphere."

Brewster outlined key issues he wants to see addressed: "a struggling economy, the war in Iraq, insecure borders, skyrocketing health care costs, human rights and environmental concerns."

Glass echoed those concerns.

"I realize that I do care about issues with the economy, I care about how this country will pay back its national debt," she said. "I care about jobs and the education I have received and will be continuing to gain in college. I care about the American soldiers who are fighting and risking their lives for my safety in other countries. I care about the environment and how we can put a halt to global warming."

Mark suggested practical changes that would motivate her to vote. Time off from work or school to cast her ballot would help, she wrote, predicting that making Election Day a national holiday would increase the number of voters.

A better understanding of each candidate is needed, she added:

"Candidates' speeches, debates and interviews are convoluted and can easily be misinterpreted or even lost on the American people, myself included. I believe that if each candidate was given a set of the same questions that they had to answer, and they answered in a clear and concise way, the American people would better understand where each candidate stood on controversial issues."

News Center To Host Ceremony

Those essay winners, along with their family members and educators who had a great impact on their lives, will be honored with a reception this evening at the News Center, which houses The Tampa Tribune, News Channel 8 and TBO.com.

A panel of eight judges, including retired or former educators and advocates, chose the winners based on writing skill, leadership and community service. The students will take home plaques and scholarships.

They, like all the other top scholars, have earned a multitude of awards and recognitions, as do the other top seniors, all honored on TBO .com with their personal profiles.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

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