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Superintendent's Message

Graduation Season and the Pathways Ahead

As graduation ceremonies concluded across Citrus County this past week, we reflect with pride on the accomplishments of our students. These moments mark not only the end of their K–12 journey, but the beginning of what comes next, a future each student is preparing to step into with purpose and confidence.

From the beginning, one of my key priorities as superintendent has been to ensure that every student graduates with a clear path forward. We often talk about the three pathways available to our students after high school: Enroll, Employ or Enlist. Whether a student chooses to continue their education, enter the workforce or enter the military, our goal is the same—to prepare them for success in whatever direction they choose.

Across Citrus County Schools, we are seeing this vision come to life through the achievements of our students.

At Citrus High School, Lucas Gonzalez has taken full advantage of our welding program, earning a $22,000 full-ride scholarship to Fusion Welding in Ocala to continue developing his skills. His story is a powerful example of how Career & Technical Education can open doors to high-paying, high-demand careers.

At Lecanto High School, we celebrate two outstanding students who have chosen to serve our country. Devin Jones, an International Baccalaureate (IB) senior, has been accepted into the United States Coast Guard Academy.  Abigail Tate, also an IB senior, has demonstrated exceptional achievement by earning acceptance into the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United States Naval Academy. She has chosen to attend the Naval Academy, a remarkable accomplishment. Their commitment to service reflects the very best of our students and our community.

At Crystal River High School, Michael Wells is already gaining real-world experience working with Blue Water Drafting while continuing his education. His plan to attend the College of Central Florida and pursue architecture demonstrates how students can successfully blend both the “Employ” and “Enroll” pathways to build a strong future.
We also celebrate Kaitlyn Smith, a student in the Honors Biomedical Science Program and EMT pathway. An AP Scholar and Golden Citrus Scholar, Kaitlyn has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and service. She will attend Fordham University in Manhattan, where she will major in integrative neuroscience. An exciting next step as she begins her journey toward a career in the medical field.

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