FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. (August 21, 2026) –
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is celebrating outstanding national achievements by students from Gaither High School and Marshall Middle School who earned top placements at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference held recently in Washington, DC.
FCCLA is a national career and technical student organization that helps students develop leadership, career readiness, and workplace skills through competitive events and service opportunities. Students from Hillsborough County competed against some of the nation's best and returned home with national recognition for their excellence in career preparation, communication, and leadership skills.
At Gaither High School, Samuel Spears earned 5th Place nationally in the Interviewing Skills, Level 3 competition.
Marshall Middle School student Kai Tran earned two national awards:
1st Place Nationally in Interviewing Skills, Level 1, receiving a national championship plaque.
5th Place Nationally (Gold) in Career Investigation, Level 1.
“We are incredibly proud of Samuel and Kai for representing Hillsborough County on the national stage,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “The national recognition continues a strong tradition of success for Hillsborough County Public Schools' Career and Technical Education programs, which provide students with real-world experiences that prepare them for future opportunities.”
To learn more about Hillsborough County Public Schools Career and Technical Programs visit symmeselementaryschool.com.
