Distinguished Alumni

Raised off the West Coast of Florida, singer/songwriter Donny Van Slee, also known as Dr. Don, realized at a young age that music was more than just a passion – it was his life’s art. After graduating from Central High School in 2011, Donny started to perform his music at local establishments…

Amanda Martin is a Florida native; she was born in St. Petersburg and her family migrated to Pasco County in the early 90’s. Amanda’s interest in healthcare started early on as a volunteer at Dade City Hospital. During her junior year of high school, Amanda obtained her CNA…

Frances Werner-Watkins comes from a family that has been and is still engaged in the building of Pasco County from its inception. Her family is one of Florida’s Pioneer families recognized by the State of Florida for being here for over 100 years. Her ancestry includes a long…

Thomas Giella, Jr. was born and raised in Dade City, Florida. After earning his Associate in Science degree and a certificate in AutoCAD Foundations, a degree he used immediately after graduating, he later returned to PHSC earning an Associate in Arts degree. Giella continued his education to…

Angela Lewis-Bennett, a Dade City native, is a 1975 graduate of Pasco High School and received her Associate in Science in Business from Pasco-Hernando Community College in 1977. Lewis-Bennett continued her education receiving a Bachelor of Science in Physical…

Heather Fiorentino became the first female superintendent for Pasco County Schools in 2004. She served eight years as Pasco Superintendent before retiring. During her tenure, Pasco School District was the seventh in the state to obtain District wide accreditation, Gulf Trace Elementary was the…

Margarita Romo completed the Certificate in General Studies from Pasco-Hernando State College in 1980. In 1982, Romo founded and still serves as the Executive Director of Farmworkers Self-Help, Inc. (FSH), an organization which facilitates the self-development of farmworkers…

2017 Distinguished Alumni

John M. Legg has been a valuable asset to the education system not just in the community but also statewide. A Hernando County native, Legg attended Pasco-Hernando State College where he earned an Associate in Arts degree in…

2015 Distinguished Alumni

After going through a divorce, Becky Young found herself as a single parent with a 2-year-old to raise. Young was working as a legal secretary but knew this was the time to follow her call to the healthcare field. In preparation for that,…

2016 Distinguished Alumni

Tim Moore founded Diamond View Studios. Ltd., a professional video production business that produces over 450 videos annually. He has worked with the regional offices of Disney, Corona, Purina, Gatorade, and 5-…

2014 Distinguished Alumni

Diana Joyner-Mattox has had a lifelong love affair with animals. By the time she reached PHSC, she was a veterinary assistant dreaming of her own small animal practice. In 1997, just two years out of the University of Florida…

2013 Distinguished Alumni

Geraldine Bishop was the general magistrate of the Fifth Judicial Circuit for Hernando County for 13 years. Prior to her appointment she worked as a State of Florida law clerk/staff attorney for Hernando County. Bishop graduated, Magna Cum…

2012 Distinguished Alumni

When Forry lost his vision at age 27, he turned to PHCC for a new career direction. While working for PHCC News, he jokingly suggested he become a movie critic. Students and staff agreed and thus, a new career was born. Since then, Forry has…

2011 Distinguished Alumni

Thirty years ago, Anita Cruz was a young migrant worker who brought her infant son to the fields with her while she worked. Alarmed by the dangers she and her child encountered there and the harsh living conditions endured by farm workers,…

2010 Distinguished Alumni

Florida’s Secretary of State fell in love with the elections process during a high school summer internship at the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office. At 22, Kurt Browning was elected Pasco County’s supervisor of elections, the…

2009 Distinguished Alumni

The renowned Florida journalist started her career at the St. Petersburg Times in the early 1970s when women rarely worked in news rooms and never in investigative reporting. Her relentless pursuit of truth led to dangerous…