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Feature
Tampa Catholic’s First Black Salutatorian Tells Class ‘We Are Leaving Part Of Ourselves’
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
In the 54-year history of Tampa Catholic High School, no African-American student has ever been named a Valedictorian or Salutatorian of a graduating class.
Cristen Thomas broke that mold this year when she was named the 2016 gradu- ating class Salutatorian with a 4.5 Grade Point Average.
In addressing her class with the Salutatory Address on Tuesday evening, May 24, 2016 in the Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center, Cristen pulled a line from the poem, “Ulysses,” by Tennyson, “I am a part of all that I have met,” when she told her class that as they shift from students to alumni. Our class has left a mark at TC that other stu- dents will hear about for years to come.”
Ms. Thomas took her
classmates back to their first year as high schoolers right out of middle school many not knowing each other, and how they evolved as team- mates, partners “on a partic- ular project that saved your grade,” and even became your best friend.
As she drew her address to a close, Ms. Thomas said, “As we move forward in
our lives and continue grow- ing into the people that God wants us to be, we should take with us the lessons we learned at Tampa Catholic.” She then wished the class good luck in their future en- deavors.
An active student, Cristen was a 3-year mem- ber of the Tampa Catholic Crusaderettes Dance Team,
Tampa High School Ambas- sador, a member of Campus Ministries, and the Shape Senior-Freshmen Mentor Program.
Just as active in the com- munity, Ms. Thomas is a member of Elsa Pardo Dance Studio Bravo Competition Team, having been dancing sincetheageof4.Sheisa member of the Precious
Pearls, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Theta Omega Chapter’s Youth Group, and attends Bible- Based Fellowship Church, where she volunteers with the Nursery Ministry.
Cristen has also received honors and awards: Presi- dent’s Education Award for Excellence, Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholar Award, Tampa Tribune Honor Student; and had membership in National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Na- tional English Honor Soci- ety, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and the Hispanic Honor Society.
Cristen is the daughter of Caroline and Alphonse Stewart and Rodney Thomas, an alumnus of Tampa Catholic, Class of 1984.
Cristen plans to continue her studies at the University of Florida.
Cristen Thomas received a medallion after she deliv- ers Salutatory Address for the 2016 class at Tampa
CRISTEN THOMAS Catholic High School.
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B