Polk County Public Schools
The school district’s Migrant Education Department held an event at the end of the 2007-2008 school year to honor 44 graduated seniors.
The Migrant Education Department assists students whose families travel and relocate frequently working in agriculture-related jobs. The migrant lifestyle results in interruptions in academics and school attendance and can pose disadvantages in students achieving academically.
The following is a list of graduated migrant students who were honored by the Migrant Education Department. They are listed according to school. Many of these students were highly decorated with scholarships or other awards. Karen Jimenez, a student from a migrant family and 2008 graduate of Haines City High, was her school’s valedictorian. Student awards or scholarships are listed in parentheses.
Fort Meade Senior: Juanita Macedo, Anais Miranda, Arely Miranda, Heidi Miranda, Esperanza Nunez, Gerardo Romero, Lissette Velasquez (Polk Community College Fancelli Scholarship).
Frostproof Senior: Magaly Acevedo, Yurisbet Aguilar, Jose Becerra, Juan Castaneda, Reveca Casteneda, Adan Chavez, Antonia Chavez (Florida Medallion Scholarship), Mario Diaz, Esmeralda Gauzin (Polk Community College Fancelli Scholarship), Daneli Gaytan, Fabiola Gonzalez, Rafael Gordillo, Jose O. Montenegro, Jose M. Montenegro, Jessica Perez, Elizabeth Rivera, Agripino Sanchez, Nabor Uriostegui.
Haines City High: Erica Gamez, Mauricio Govea, Karen Jimenez (2008 valedictorian), Jose Magana, Laura Maldonado
Lake Gibson High (Lakeland): Oscar Ponce
Lake Region High (Eagle Lake): Eliseo Arroyo, Norma Cabellero (scholarships from Bright Futures, Club Hispano de Lakeland and Take Stock in Children), Jose Gomez, Julian Gomez, Alberto Hernandez (scholarships from Bright Futures, Ruritan), Martina Lopez, Jorge Lora, Anabel Macedo, Marleni Cortez, Eduardo Sanchez
Lake Wales High: Santa Galarza, Leslie Rodarte (Ledger Silver Garland)
Mulberry High: Marisol Jaimes, Frederico Martinez
Winter Haven High: Juan Batista (Sally Abernathy Scholarship)