![Cheers to Public Service 2026 Winners]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778777820/pcsborg/kne3pzhwksdijqfjqfry/Irish-31-Seminole-5132026-40.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778777820/pcsborg/kne3pzhwksdijqfjqfry/Irish-31-Seminole-5132026-40.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778777820/pcsborg/kne3pzhwksdijqfjqfry/Irish-31-Seminole-5132026-40.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778777820/pcsborg/kne3pzhwksdijqfjqfry/Irish-31-Seminole-5132026-40.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1778777820/pcsborg/kne3pzhwksdijqfjqfry/Irish-31-Seminole-5132026-40.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778777820/pcsborg/kne3pzhwksdijqfjqfry/Irish-31-Seminole-5132026-40.jpg","width":2048}])
The Irish 31 iCare Foundation hosted a celebration honoring our remarkable teachers.
![SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Zephyniis Wharton - Lakewood High School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778173487/pcsborg/tuzijeeqnq5zatdedgwa/Zephyniis-7294.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778173487/pcsborg/tuzijeeqnq5zatdedgwa/Zephyniis-7294.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778173487/pcsborg/tuzijeeqnq5zatdedgwa/Zephyniis-7294.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778173487/pcsborg/tuzijeeqnq5zatdedgwa/Zephyniis-7294.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1778173487/pcsborg/tuzijeeqnq5zatdedgwa/Zephyniis-7294.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1778173487/pcsborg/tuzijeeqnq5zatdedgwa/Zephyniis-7294.jpg","width":2200}])
![Florida History Day competitors]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778085534/pcsborg/slogseglp1wvntwudua0/WholeGroup3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778085534/pcsborg/slogseglp1wvntwudua0/WholeGroup3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778085534/pcsborg/slogseglp1wvntwudua0/WholeGroup3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778085534/pcsborg/slogseglp1wvntwudua0/WholeGroup3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1778085534/pcsborg/slogseglp1wvntwudua0/WholeGroup3.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1778085534/pcsborg/slogseglp1wvntwudua0/WholeGroup3.jpg","width":2200}])
![Get ready for Kindergarten]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777903330/pcsborg/fdmkwiclmu45jk0mh1k1/KGone.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777903330/pcsborg/fdmkwiclmu45jk0mh1k1/KGone.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777903330/pcsborg/fdmkwiclmu45jk0mh1k1/KGone.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777903330/pcsborg/fdmkwiclmu45jk0mh1k1/KGone.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777903330/pcsborg/fdmkwiclmu45jk0mh1k1/KGone.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1777903330/pcsborg/fdmkwiclmu45jk0mh1k1/KGone.jpg","width":2200}])
![Mr. Hendrick's new Instagram platform]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777910795/pcsborg/h99rcymwtws6xpbqg8gf/HendrickInstagram_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777910795/pcsborg/h99rcymwtws6xpbqg8gf/HendrickInstagram_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777910795/pcsborg/h99rcymwtws6xpbqg8gf/HendrickInstagram_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777910795/pcsborg/h99rcymwtws6xpbqg8gf/HendrickInstagram_1.jpg","width":1080}])
Faculty
Faculty
![Christian Mills]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760080992/pcsborg/yknh6xrwpwohhlb69uvi/Christian_Mills.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760080992/pcsborg/yknh6xrwpwohhlb69uvi/Christian_Mills.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760080992/pcsborg/yknh6xrwpwohhlb69uvi/Christian_Mills.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760080992/pcsborg/yknh6xrwpwohhlb69uvi/Christian_Mills.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760080992/pcsborg/yknh6xrwpwohhlb69uvi/Christian_Mills.png","width":1600}])
Mr. Mills is a Florida native and graduate of Pasco High School. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida. He enjoys teaching Math and Computer Science as well as playing video games, soccer and running. His wife is also a teacher and they have 2 children.
![Christopher Borg]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760080984/pcsborg/guml7wtibhrgyv6zefhu/Borg-240x300.jpg","width":240}])
Mr. Borg has been teaching at Lakewood High School for 15 years and in the CAT program for 11 years. He graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Information System and in 2006 with a Master’s in Education Leadership. Mr. Borg is the District adviser and Lakewood adviser for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
![Jason Ness]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760080986/pcsborg/xbbuiyaesy2lf4oncdgl/Ness.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760080986/pcsborg/xbbuiyaesy2lf4oncdgl/Ness.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760080986/pcsborg/xbbuiyaesy2lf4oncdgl/Ness.jpg","width":640}])
Mr. Ness has been teaching at Lakewood High School for ten years and in the CAT Program for six. He graduated from Eckerd College with a Business degree. Mr. Ness is the Faculty Adviser for the Lakewood Robotics Club.
![ ]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760080989/pcsborg/bxomx7djupxbrqzjydbw/J__Matthew_Cortez.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760080989/pcsborg/bxomx7djupxbrqzjydbw/J__Matthew_Cortez.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760080989/pcsborg/bxomx7djupxbrqzjydbw/J__Matthew_Cortez.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760080989/pcsborg/bxomx7djupxbrqzjydbw/J__Matthew_Cortez.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760080989/pcsborg/bxomx7djupxbrqzjydbw/J__Matthew_Cortez.png","width":1600}])
Mr. Cortez is a born and raised Pinellas County student-turned-faculty. He went to Osceola High but also got his unofficial CAT diploma (thanks Mr. Borg!) and graduated from San José State University in 2017. Mr. Cortez loves to play soccer, skateboard, and kayak around the bay.
![Lukas Hefty]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760080974/pcsborg/uxaojsafmuqz9rnpjrjf/WebsitePhoto.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760080974/pcsborg/uxaojsafmuqz9rnpjrjf/WebsitePhoto.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760080974/pcsborg/uxaojsafmuqz9rnpjrjf/WebsitePhoto.jpg","width":593}])
Mr. Hefty has been with Pinellas County Schools for 19 years. He has served as classroom teacher, instructional staff developer, District Elementary Mathematics Supervisor, and Assistant Principal. He is a 2001 graduate of the CAT Program and proud graduate of USF St. Petersburg.
Retired CAT Faculty
Ms. Andrea Carvill
2003-2013
Courses: Algebra II, AP Stat., Chem. I Hon., Research 1&2
Ms. Diane Church-Smith
1990-2003
Former Cat Guidance Counselor
Mr. Paul Dickman
1993-2019
Courses: Physics 1 Honors, Research 3
Mrs. Donna Dicus
1999-2009
Courses: Computer Programming
Dr. George Garbutt
2003-2016
Courses: Chemistry 1 Honors, AP Chemistry, Chemistry 2 Honors, Biology 1 Honors, Research 2
Ms. Megan Geidner
2013-2016
Courses: AP Biology, Biology 2 Honors
Mr. Mark Granning
1991-2009
Courses: Multimedia Tech., TV Production, New Media Digital Imaging, Digital Video and Sound Fundamentals
Ms. Melissa Heeren
2009-2013
Courses: Freshman Computers, C++/Java, C#/Java, AP Computer Science, Research 2, Object Oriented Programming, CATCOM
Mr. Michael Jacobs
1996-2009
Courses: Algebra 1 Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Math Analysis
Dr. Julie Janssen, Emer.
Former Director from 1994-1998
Teacher: 1991-1994
Courses: Algebra 2 Honors, Geometry 1 Honors
Mrs. Debbie Leadbetter
1993-2015
Courses: Calculus Honors, Research 1, Algebra 2 Honors, AP Calculus AB
Ms. Rose Mack
1993-2007
Courses: Algebra 2 Honors, Geometry 1 Honors, Research
Mrs. Beverly Mitchell-Brown
2007-2025
Program Secretary
Mr. Peter Oberg
1991-2017
Former Director from 2007-2017
Teacher from 1991-2006
Courses: Biology 1 Honors, Chemistry 1 Honors, Chemistry 2 Honors, AP Chemistry
Ms. Melissa Ostrowski
2014-2022
Courses: Algebra 2 Honors, Calculus Honors, AP Calculus
Mrs. Jennifer Pacowta
201-2022
Courses: Algebra 2 Honors, Calculus Honors, AP Calculus
Dr. Martin Shapiro, Emer.
Former Director from 1998-2007
Teacher: 1990-1997
Courses: AP Physics, Physics 1 Honors, Chemistry 1 Honors, Research, Integrated Physics 1 Honors, Algebra 2 Honors
Ms. Barbara Stambaugh
2003-2013
Former CAT Guidance Counselor
Mr. Robert Tencza
1994-2025
Courses: AP Computer Science, Procedural Programming, Foundations of Programming
Mr. Fred Ulrich
Former Director from 1990-1993
Mr. Steven Wagner
1993-2009
Courses: AP Biology, Biology 1 Honors, Biology 2/Research
Mr. Chris Watson
1994-2005
Courses: AP Calculus
Mr. Gary White
1993-2007
Courses: AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science AB, Computer Programming 1 & 2
Ms. Kathy Zavadil
2008-2014
Courses: AP Biology, Biology II Honors Lab, Biology 1 Honors, Physics 1 Honors
Mr. Lou Zulli Jr.
1993-2017
Former Network Administrator & IT Instructor