NAPLES, FLA — Golden Gate High School’s senior Tori Guarino is a Florida girl at heart.
“Being outside is like my safe space”.
She’s spent plenty of time outside as part of the schools’ varsity lacrosse, cross country and track teams.
As if Tori wasn’t busy enough, she also plays the cello and has had an impressive academic career.
In addition to her busy athletic life, Tori took honors, AICE and AP classes. Her resume boasts an impressive weighted GPA of 5.52.
That’s why it’s not surprising that Tori is the school’s projected Class of 2020 valedictorian.
The Naples native says she’s always been fascinated by learning.
“There’s so much out there to research about. There’s so much out there to know,” Guarino says.
Tori says her love for learning helped her to develop her own passions - including her love for art and her pursuit of a vegan lifestyle over the last two years.
“Education has no limits.”
John Krupp is a social studies teacher at Golden Gate High School.
He describes Tori as “one of a kind”.
“She’s one of those students that you can only be so lucky to have as a teacher, ” Krupp tells FOX 4.
Tori says after graduation, she’ll be staying in Southwest Florida.
The National Honor Society member says her love for education, coupled with her love for her hometown, has set the stage for her college career.
She’s heading to Florida Gulf Coast University to major in environmental studies.
With that chosen path, she intends to further study environmental challenges in the area. She also tells FOX 4 that she hopes to teach children about Florida’ ecosystem, in an effort to encourage them to do their part in preserving it.
Of course, with over 300 volunteer hours gathered in high school, Tori plans to give back while in college, too.
“Whatever she chooses to do, she’s gonna make a difference in the world,” Krupp says.
Congratulations. Tori!
