Pasco County’s Project Turnaround Awards

I had the privilege of attending and speaking at this year’s Pasco County Project Turnaround Awards—an inspiring event that celebrates one student from each of our middle and high schools who has made an extraordinary turnaround in the face of academic, personal, and social challenges.

These students didn’t just persevere—they changed their stories. With courage, hard work, and belief in themselves, they turned moments of struggle into foundations for growth. They remind us that setbacks do not define us—what defines us is how we rise.

But none of these journeys happened in isolation. Behind every turnaround is a teacher, a counselor, an administrator, or a support staff member who extended a hand, spoke words of encouragement, or simply refused to give up. Thank you to the dedicated educators and mentors who walk alongside our students every day.

In Pasco County Schools, we will always stand with our students—especially those who’ve had to climb the hardest hills. Their stories are not just inspiring—they are transformational.

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