Each year, Pasco County Schools selects an Outstanding Senior from among nominees at the district’s 17 public high schools. Candidates are recognized for academic achievement, involvement in school life and service to the community.
Each school nominates a group of seniors and selects one representative. From that field, the school board names an overall Outstanding Senior for the year.
Wesley Chapel’s Jaden Wilson was named Pasco County’s Outstanding Senior for 2026.
In the Land O’ Lakes area, Wilson was chosen over Angeline Academy of Innovation’s Danya Nasiri — who will be part of the school’s 37-member inaugural graduating class in May — Land O’ Lakes High’s Emerson Phelps and Sunlake’s Reese Van Brocklin. Here’s a look at what the local nominees brought to the table.
Danya Nasiri, Angeline Academy of Innovation
Nasiri carried a 3.48 GPA in AP courses and served as president of FBLA, leading chapter growth and competitive success. As Spirit/Activity Director on student council, she organized activities and served on the School Advisory Council for two years. She was instrumental in creating the 2024-25 yearbook and promoting schoolwide engagement. On top of delivering morning and afternoon announcements over the PA, Nasiri completed 73 volunteer hours, assisted in the Charles S. Rushe Middle School media center for a year and a half and supported school events as a student ambassador.
Emerson Phelps, Land O’ Lakes High
Phelps served as president of four organizations — National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Science Olympiad — building trust within officer teams and collaborating with sponsors and other clubs. As a volunteer at Moffitt Cancer Center, she supported patients in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, and through NHS she led drives and encouraged members to volunteer at Miles for Moffitt. Phelps also volunteered with Teen Court, helped design a mural through Spanish NHS, led orientation tours and launched a science tutoring initiative.
Reese Van Brocklin, Sunlake High
Van Brocklin maintained a 4.6 GPA across 16 AP courses and 12 dual enrollment courses and will graduate ninth in the class of 2026. She served on student council, played guitar and piano, and wrote and performed songs during her time at Sunlake. A four-year member of Mu Alpha Theta, she helped found the English Honor Society and was an active member of the school’s spirit club, Hawkeye. Van Brocklin was also freshman-year softball MVP and managed the boys basketball team’s social media and statistics. She completed more than 440 volunteer service hours.