Attending yesterday’s @HillsboroughFL 4th Annual #Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony was a powerful reminder of what this day represents. It’s a moment to reflect and honor the strength and contributions of Black Americans.

I had the honor of joining @PinellasSuper & @pascoschools' supt yesterday for a panel hosted by Tampa Bay Partnership. We discussed the importance of early learning, literacy & career readiness. Investing in our students means investing in a stronger, more competitive Tampa Bay.

RT @PinellasSuper: Thank you @TBPartnership for hosting superintendents and discussing the state of education in Tampa Bay @FlyTPA yesterda….

Thank you, Gwen, for believing in me and for believing in the power of education to transform lives.

A natural mentor who was trusted by students and colleagues alike. She made everyone feel seen, valued, and special. I’ll miss our time together and her ability to be both direct and deeply caring.

This morning was not a goodbye, but a see you later to my dear friend, Gwen Henderson. Gwen had an incredible gift for bringing out the best in others. During our time together at Jefferson, she was truly the heart of the campus.

She remained a fierce advocate for public education through her work on the City Council. She never stopped fighting for our schools or believing in the power of education to change lives. She will be deeply missed in our community.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Councilwoman Gwen Henderson—a devoted educator, community leader, & dear friend. She dedicated decades to @HillsboroughSch & was the heart of Jefferson HS during my time as principal. Her love for students, staff, & community was unmatched.

Your support, dedication, and hard work helped create unforgettable moments for our students as they crossed the stage and stepped into their futures. We can’t wait to see the incredible things the Class of 2025 will accomplish.

And just like that, we’ve officially wrapped up our 2024–2025 graduation season!. Congratulations again to all 15,000+ of our graduates, and thank you to our families, administrators, and staff for making our ceremonies meaningful, memorable, and full of pride.

RT @HillsboroughSch: You’re looking at our last graduate, .Destiny Wilson from Spoto High School, .for the 2024-2025 graduation season! 🎓🎉….

We’ve reached the 2nd-to-last day of our graduations, and the energy is still going strong!. From the proud smiles of our graduates to the cheers and happy tears of their families, these moments are a powerful reminder of what this journey is all about.

Day 6 of our traditional graduation ceremonies is complete! Just two more days and seven graduations to go. It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of another school year. Let’s finish the week strong, HCPS Family!

As we head into Memorial Day, I hope everyone takes a moment to reflect and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. Wishing you a safe and meaningful holiday.

We’ve officially wrapped up this weekend’s graduation ceremonies, and we’re now more than halfway through celebrating the incredible Class of 2025!. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for making each ceremony so special.

Watching these students grow, find their voices, and now walk across that stage fills me with pride and hope for the future. Graduation is more than a milestone. It’s a launchpad, and I know these students are ready to soar.

I had the privilege of celebrating with even more of our incredible graduates today, including our Unique Seniors and the seniors from my Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. It's been an honor to work alongside these bright, passionate leaders all year long.

Day 2 of our graduation ceremonies kicked off with our largest class — over 900 graduates!. Each graduate brings a powerful story of hard work and determination, and I’m honored to celebrate this accomplishment with them and their families.

RT @ScottieBasham: Awesome graduation at @HCPSLavoyEx. So proud of Jacob. @VanAyresHCPS @HillsboroughSch

It was an incredible 1st day of our traditional graduation ceremonies!. One of my favorite moments is meeting our Unique Seniors, each with their own inspiring journey to this milestone. We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments & resilience shown along the way.