LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — Pasco County Schools named Sunlake High School student Jillian Gordy, 18, Outstanding Senior 2018-2019. She was chosen among nominees from each of the district’s high schools on the basis of scholarship, leadership, service, and citizenship.

  • Sunlake High student named Outstanding Senior 2018-2019
  • Jillian Gordy chosen on basis of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship

“I think it starts when I was young with my mom, definitely. She got me in service. She’s an educator herself, so she knows how important education is, and so that’s why I believe anything can be achieved through education,” said Gordy of what drives her. 

Gordy maintained a GPA above 4.0 while being dual enrolled at Pasco-Hernando State College. She also earned the highest possible score on the tests for each Advanced Placement course she’s taken. 

Beyond the classroom, Gordy’s worked to make a difference in the community. She’s volunteered with Toys for Tots since she was five years old. As a sophomore, she started a teen-specific drive through her work with the Key Club.

“There’s a table for teens 13-17, and the table is really desolate,” she said. “I just really wanted to give back to the kids because they’re taking care of their younger siblings most times at home, so I wanted to make sure that they had a good Christmas, like their younger siblings.”

Gordy also worked to help her fellow students succeed. She put together goodie bags for this year’s incoming freshmen students that included information about extracurricular activities.

“Theoretically, if you get involved more in the beginning of your high school career, whether it be sports or volunteer work or clubs, you’re more apt to stay on track to graduate because the clubs at our school have a GPA requirement and they have an attendance requirement,” said Gordy.

While she hasn’t decided on her next step, Gordy said she hopes to attend college in Florida and may study engineering.