Students from Leto, Durant, and Bloomindale High Schools are honored for their athleticism, academics, and community achievements
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and longtime Hillsborough County resident Wade Boggs joined the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, June 5, to present the Board's prestigious 2024 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award. Established in 2005 and named in honor of the National Baseball Hall of Famer, the award recognizes student athletes who have demonstrated drive, determination, and leadership in their sport and their daily lives.
This year's winner is Bloomindale High School graduate Cooper Hinson. A two-time Perfect Game High School All-American and two-time Bloomingdale Hitter of the Year, Hinson helped lead his team to the 2023 District 6A championship, the 2024 6A Regional championship, and the 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association Final Four this past season. In his senior campaign, Cooper hit a .448, with 39 hits, 34 runs scored, 19 runs batted in, 10 doubles, and two homeruns. Academically, he achieved a 5.84 GPA, served as a four-year member of the National Honor Society, and was a recipient of Bloomingdale Boosters' Scholar-Athlete Award. Hinson additionally received a baseball scholarship to Marshall University, where he plans to pursue a law degree.
Demetrios Passalaris and Blaine Rowland received Honorable Mentions. Passalaris was Leto High School's top pitcher his junior and senior years, recording over 70 strikeouts. With a cumulative grade point average of 7.5, he is a National Honor Society member, a Susan Valdez Scholar, and a Perez Foundation Scholar Athlete who earned an AA degree this year. He achieved the Principal Honor Roll all four years in high school and will attend Florida State University. Rowland lettered all four years at Durant High School and was All-County in both pitching and outfield in 2023. Throughout his sports career, he achieved a 1.22 ERA, with 14 wins, 143 innings pitched, and 192 strikeouts. In the classroom, Rowland is a National Honor Society member and part of Durant's Honor Court, which recognizes students with GPAs over 4.0. He accomplishments led him to earn a baseball scholarship to the University of Florida.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners presents the annual Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award to a Hillsborough County high school baseball player or team who has made significant contributions in athletics, academics, and community service. For more information, visit the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award page.
The Board also presented a proclamation declaring June 6 as Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.
Interested in all the details about the latest BOCC meeting? Here is a full recap.
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