Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School<\/a>\u2019s top two graduates will remain in the broader Central Florida region but will head different directions on Interstate 4.<\/p>\nValedictorian David Bonner will head west to the University of South Florida (USF). Bonner topped the class with a 4.741 grade-point average (GPA).<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be valedictorian just means that all the hard work that I put in has paid off,\u201d Bonner exclaimed. \u201cI\u2019m not better than anyone else and like so many in my class, I worked very hard. It\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salutatorian Anna Nazario-Siqueira finished with a 4.675 GPA. She\u2019s headed east to the University of Central Florida (UCF).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big honor for me,\u201d Nazario-Siqueira said of being named salutatorian. \u201cI was a little surprised (to graduate so high in the class). My classmates are so intelligent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Career goals<\/p>\n
At UCF, Nazario-Siqueira will pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree in aerospace engineering. She hopes to eventually earn a master\u2019s degree and work for either NASA or SpaceX.<\/p>\n
\u201cEver since I was young, I have always found space to be fascinating,\u201d Nazario-Siqueira explained. \u201cI want to build rockets. I know it won\u2019t be a boring career.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Bonner, he plans on majoring in psychology at USF. Having already earned an Associate in Arts at Polk State, Bonner hopes to use the next two years to find a more specific discipline within the psychology field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to understand the \u2018why\u2019 behind people\u2019s behaviors,\u201d Bonner reflected. \u201cThat\u2019s something I have always found fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n
A place for excellence<\/p>\n
Of the 123 graduates in Chain of Lakes\u2019 2026 class, Bonner and Nazario-Siqueira were among 106 \u2013 or 86% \u2014 to earn a college degree along with their diploma. While the top two graduates will leave with an Associate in Arts, one student earned a bachelor\u2019s degree, and two others received an Associate in Science.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoyed the smaller student body,\u201d Bonner recalled. \u201cIt\u2019s an environment that is conducive to learning. The staff was supportive. It was a great opportunity to network and work with people who have similar goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each of the top two graduates spent two years at Chain of Lakes. Bonner spent his first two high school years at Tenoroc High School. Nazario-Siqueira started at Central Florida Aerospace Academy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoyed the early college experience,\u201d Nazario-Siqueira shared. \u201cI liked the flexibility of making your own schedule. I feel more prepared to go off to a bigger university.\u201d<\/p>\n
Housed on the Winter Haven Campus, Chain of Lakes is one of three collegiate high schools. In most cases, graduates earn an Associate in Arts degree with a diploma and at no cost to them. Students at Polk State College\u2019s collegiate high schools can participate in all College clubs and activities as well as activities at their zoned schools \u2013 like athletics.<\/p>\n
During her time in high school, Nazario-Siqueira spent two years playing tennis and soccer for Kathleen High School in Lakeland where she was also a member of the marching band. She is also a member of the Haines City Tritons swimming club.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou still have all the regular high school activities,\u201d Nazario-Siqueira added. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy to balance everything but it\u2019s definitely worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Chain of Lakes, Bonner was a member of National Honor Society and the Student Government Association, serving as treasurer this year. Outside of school, he volunteered with the Humane Society of Polk County and Heartland for Children\u2019s Rudolph Round-Up, which provides Christmas gifts for children in the foster care system.<\/p>\n
Support systems<\/p>\n
While earning a college degree in high school is no small task, Bonner and Nazario-Siqueira each felt fortunate to have support at home and in school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe student government club advisor, (Paraeducator) Danielle Lauver, was there to help out when I needed anything,\u201d Bonner noted. \u201c(Teacher Resource Specialty Trainer) Austin Dollison always offered advice and was easy to talk to. As a Black man in a leadership position, he was a great role model for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother and father (Denise and Allan Nazario) were my biggest supporters,\u201d Nazario-Siqueira added. \u201cI also had great teachers along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Advice for collegiate high school students<\/p>\n
Like the Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School, Chain of Lakes earned an A grade from the Florida Department of Education last academic year. It has received an A each year since 2015. In addition to more than 100 degrees, members of Chain of Lakes\u2019 latest graduating class combined for nearly 20,000 hours of community service.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone there is very supportive,\u201d Nazario-Siqueira concluded. \u201cThey always make sure you are on the right path. Since there are fewer people, you have more time and attention from your teachers. Everyone is very easy to talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n
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