Since sixth grade, Trey Klinghammer struggled with school.
“I was a very talkative kid. I tried to fit in with other people. That would get myself in trouble,” Trey said.
He didn’t make F’s. But he didn’t do well, either, with the structure and expectations. And his behavior led to problems.
It wasn’t until Trey, 17, experienced what his principal at Pinellas High Innovation called a “hiccup” that the teen realized he needed to change his path. He had transferred as a sophomore to Clearwater High, where his actions got him moved to online classes through Pinellas Teleschool, a short-term program for students who face disciplinary action at their traditional school.
At that point, Trey said, he realized “I needed to know right from wrong and learn respect and learn boundaries. ... I didn’t want to go to jail or end up making the wrong decisions.”
He returned to Pinellas High Innovation changed, principal Ryan Green said — different friends, can-do approach, ready to help and learn.
“He came back to us and he’s been on a rocket ship,” Green said.
Now a campus leader and mentor with a sense of purpose, Trey boosted his GPA to 3.5 and will graduate this spring at the top of his class, with plans to study engineering or welding at St. Petersburg College. He was recognized Wednesday with one of the district’s Turnaround Achievement Awards.
Each spring for the past 41 years, Pinellas has celebrated middle and high schoolers who have made dramatic improvements in their academics and behaviors. For some, it’s the first time they have been invited to an event showcasing their successes, said Michelle Topping, district director of educational alternative services.
The hope is that by publicly valuing their hard work, the students will strive for more. As guest speaker Kathleen Peters, a county commissioner, told the audience gathered at Banquet Masters in Clearwater, “Great things come from failure. You get tough. You get stronger. You fix it.”
Families cheered as their kids received plaques, knowing the effort that had gone into the turnaround.
Ashley Thomas barely contained her pride as she watched her son, Gibbs High junior Juan Jones, receive his recognition. For a while, she said, she feared for the worst.
As a sophomore, she said, “he didn’t want to go to school. He had straight F’s. I literally thought I was going to lose him.”
Juan, 18, admitted he was ready to drop out. But he couldn’t stand the idea of his mom suffering, he said, and wanted to help her find a better life.
Juan realized that without a diploma, he wouldn’t get where he wanted to go. Strong faith and the backing of his mom and Gibbs football coach Herbans Paul helped him get there.
He left the crowd he had been getting in trouble with. He doubled down on school work, boosting his GPA from below 1.0 to well above 3.0. He joined Junior ROTC and qualified for the football team, where his teammates voted him most valuable player.
“I had to focus,” Juan said, grinning broadly. “I sat down, locked in and did all my work.”
Seminole High senior Kylee Strong, 18, said she had a similar arc.
As a freshman, she enrolled in veterinary assisting at Richard O. Jacobson Technical High, but found she wasn’t fond of the program. She also fell out with her best friend.
She transferred to Seminole for 10th grade. That wasn’t easy, either, though Kylee said in hindsight it was the right move.
At first, she said, she didn’t know anyone on campus and would lash out at teachers. She contemplated getting a GED, but her family encouraged her to try for a diploma.
“I tried and tried and tried,” Kylee said.
After a while, she realized that teachers wanted what was best for her. They stood ready to help. And she started to ask for that help.
Her behavior improved. So did her grades. Kylee finished her diploma requirements last semester and will graduate this spring with plans to study cosmetology.
“It was an emotional roller coaster. I got through it,” she said. “I’m proud I did.”
That sense of satisfaction and confidence thrummed through the ceremony. As other students struggle, Kylee, Juan and Trey all agreed, they should consider how great it feels to come out on the other side.
“I’m showing them it’s possible to do it,” Trey said. “Keep pushing. Don’t give up.”
The Tampa Bay Times Education Hub reports on Florida’s schools and universities and the students they serve. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
