BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Monday afternoon, a Hillsborough County graduating senior was surprised. He learned that he was the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship award.

School board members Candy Olson and Doretha Edgecomb were on the campus of Middleton High School for the presentation. Although Abraham Tejeda knew that he had submitted an essay for the Richard R. Green Scholarship, he had no idea that he had been chosen as the recipient.

Mrs. Olson said, “This was one of the toughest things I’ve had to make. I wanted a student who was an advocate of public education. I really wish I could have presented 5 scholarships.”

Tejeda talked about how much he admired and respects his band instructor, how it has changed his plans for the future. He also talked about other teachers who loved what they taught, she said.

Tejeda is a first generation student to attend college in his family; Salutatorian at Middleton with a grade point average of 4.5; he is Head Drum Major; and teaches the French horn to students at Sligh Middle School.

In addition, he is a member of a jazz band; teaches beginning music at Revealing Truth Ministries; and wants to become a teacher in the future.

Tejeda will receive $2,500 for four years and hopes to attend a college in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mrs. Olson was awarded the Leadership and Education Award from the Council of Great City Schools. As part of that award, she had the opportunity to select one student to receive the $10,000 award.

She invited students to submit an essay on the subject of what public education meant to them. Two students were chosen from the 27 public high schools and the winner was chosen from those finalists.