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PVHS: Empowering Every Learner to Develop Good Character and to Achieve Success
Table of Contents
UPCOMING DATES
REMIND YOUR STUDENT TO SIGN UP FOR BITE PERIOD BY MONDAY (11:59PM)
Monday January 19, 2026 Martin Luther King Jr Day – Student / Teacher Holiday
February 4: Family Night
February 10: Interims issued
February 13: Student Holiday/Teacher work day
February 16: Student and Teacher Holiday
UPCOMING FAMILY NIGHTS: APRIL 8
artist of the month
Ivey Dionne
12th Grade
3D AP Art with Ms. Reyes
INTERESTED IN JOINING AN ACADEMY
The lottery is now open. Rising freshman and sophomores interested in joining an Academy beginning the 2026 – 2027 school year can apply through their HAC account.
The lottery will close on January 26th at 5 p.m.
PVHS will hold an Academy Night to learn more about their academy programs
on Wednesday, January 14th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The Academies at PVHS include:
- The Academy of Biotechnology and Medical Research
- The Academy of Information Technology
- The Academy of International Business & Marketing
- The Academy of Future Educators
For additional information, contact Mrs. Leonard, Academy Specialist at [email protected] or the see the CTE website: Applying to a Program of Choice – Career and Technical Education (CTE) of St. Johns County
JOIN THE SHARKS!
Thank you to the Citizens of St. Johns County!
Your support of the additional operating millage of one mill to preserve and enhance educational programs including science, technology, art, music and athletics is helping us to further learn, create, and play.
https://millagesuccess.com/
message from sjcsd superintendent
HIGHLIGHTS ON CAMPUS
This week students and teachers were treated to a delicious lunch. These sharks were recognized for exemplifying the character traits of citizenship and respect. Fins up Sharks!!
sharks with character!
Over 600 competitors from 15 states met this weekend in Orlando for the National Civics and Debate Champion -otherwise known as The Great Debate. Ponte Vedra High School was thrilled to have a dozen students qualify for this arduous and unique tournament. The Great Debate is a triathlon where each student competes in three different events: Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Debate, and Legislative Debate. Freshman Aarit Moolchandani earned a top 20 placing in Extemporaneous Debate. It is an incredible achievement, especially since this is his first at this tournament. Congratulations Aarit!!
sharks DEBATE TEAM
Two of our Speech and Debate students spoke at the Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club meeting. Hannah Hosseini, sophomore, presented her Informative Speech covering the history of the war between Coke and Pepsi. Doga Tankut, also a sophomore, presented her speech about issues, past and present, in women’s healthcare. Both students highly impressed the 50 or so professionals in attendance, myself included. To thank us for our presentation, the Rotary Club has made a donation to Rotary International’s effort to eradicate polio in honor of the Ponte Vedra High School Speech and Debate Team.
sharks in the community
Joshua Huang and Jonathan Cunningham participated in the American Mathematics Competition 12 Test. Based on their outstanding performance, they both qualified for the next level of the competition, the American Invitational Mathematics Exam. Way to go!
OUR SHARKS ARE MATHLETES
On Monday, 12/8/25, Congressman John H. Rutherford, presented an award to PVHS Student, Nicolas Vazquez, for winning the
Florida District 5 Congressional App Challenge (CAC).
The Congressional App Challenge invites middle and high school students to create and submit apps, with specific rules regarding eligibility, submission, and judging criteria. The first year of the challenge was 2016. Every year since, Congress has challenged students in their districts to create and submit an original app for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Each challenge is district specific. Students are publicly recognized, and each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.
Nick is a student in the Academy of Information Technology at Ponte Vedra High School. He is pictured with Congressman Rutherford, his academy teacher, Michael Costello, and his parents, Osvaldo & Analia Vazquez.
Congratulations Nicolas!
SHARK 2.0
Ponte Vedra High School students demonstrated outstanding achievement in the recent U.S. District Court High School Essay Contest, capturing seven of the top ten awards among participants from across a dozen counties in Northeast Florida. The contest, sponsored by the lawyers and judges of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida and the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, invited high school students in grades 9–12 to submit essays analyzing how having an advocate is vital to creating a more just and equitable society. The theme challenged students to reflect on the importance of advocacy in various aspects of life.
Our Ponte Vedra High School award recipients include:
- Rachel Marino (Senior) – 1st Place
- Jonathan Milicevic (Senior) – 2nd Place
- Ananya Yegnamurthy (Junior) – 3rd Place
- Ashley Wright (Senior)
- Leila Dixon (Sophomore)
- Nancy James (Senior)
- Daniela Jimenez (Junior)
Congratulations to these students for their exceptional work and for representing Ponte Vedra High School with distinction. Their success reflects not only individual talent but also a commitment to civic engagement and thoughtful writing. Go Sharks!
Sharks represent!
CLUBS AT PVHS
CLASS OF 2026
The Universal Studios GRAD BASH senior trip will take place on April 17, 2026.
- Price: $220 per ticket
- Purchase Location: Tickets can ONLY be purchased through SchoolPay
- Sales Window: Tickets will be available from January 5 through January 31. No tickets will be sold after this date.
- Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE
- Students may NOT be driven to or picked up from the park separately — no exceptions
- Only students in good standing may attend. Students with poor attendance, behavior interventions or on academic probation might not be allowed to participate.
For questions, please email: [email protected]
Shark Families:
Senior dues are $120.00 to cover the costs of graduation at the UNF arena, the senior picnic, and other activities as designated by the senior class officers. We have provided a link to SchoolPay for your convenience. We would appreciate receiving senior class dues by October 3, 2025. Thank you.
PVHS Administration.
Paladino Business Scholarship
The Paladino Business Scholarship, available to students in The Academy of International Business and Marketing, will be open for applications beginning January 5, 2026. Mr. & Mrs. Paladino will award two $3000.00 scholarships.
New for this year, Mr. & Mrs. Paladino are introducing The Paladino STEM Scholarship, in honor of Mr. Paladino’s parents, Dr. Albert Paladino, Scientist and Entrepreneur, and Dorothy Paladino, RN, and mother of four. These scholarships are open to any PVHS senior planning to major in a STEM focused degree including a focus in the health care fields. They will award two $3000.00 scholarships.
Both scholarships are merit based.
Application, deadline, and submission requirements are in the attached documents. Students may also access them through the senior Schoology page, their academy teacher or on the PVHS academy webpage.
The Paladino Business Scholarship Information
The Paladino Business Scholarship Submission Checklist
The Paladino STEM Scholarship Information
The Paladino STEM Scholarship Submission Checklist
Please contact Marisa Leonard, Academy Director, with questions.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR ACADEMY SENIORS
TESTING
attention juniors
BULLETIN BOARD
Support our Career Academy Internship Program
Partner with Ponte Vedra High School and the St. Johns County School District to help build tomorrow’s workforce by supporting our Career Academy internship program.
A key component of this program is providing students with meaningful summer internship experiences aligned to their academy focus. To participate in the internship program students must complete career readiness training, prepare a resume, and be interviewed and selected by the participating business partners. We are seeking the support of local businesses to help make these opportunities possible. Internship schedules are flexible and can be tailored to meet your business needs, with a typical commitment of 20 hours per week for six weeks, as well as shorter options such as job shadowing. Internships may be unpaid or paid, and our team is happy to collaborate with you to design an experience that works for your organization while providing valuable real-world learning for students. Please see the attached flyer to learn more about the program, and feel free to reach out to Marisa Leonard, PVHS Career Specialist, or Ashley Wimpelberg, SJCSD Work-Based Learning Coordinator, with any questions.
SJCSD MENTAL HEALTH SUMMITS
ATTENTION FRESHMEN!
Youth Leadership Jacksonville (YLJ) is a six-month program that brings together a select cross-section of Northeast Florida high school sophomores from Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties with demonstrated leadership abilities.
APPLICATIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED TO GUIDANCE OFFICE BY JANUARY 21.
Youth Leadership Jacksonville
Who Can Apply
- Attend an accredited high school in Duval, Clay, Baker, Nassau or St. Johns County.
- Apply as a freshman to participate in your sophomore year.
- Be approved by the high school principal.
- Demonstrate proven leadership ability in school and/or community activities.
- Have an interest in addressing the issues confronting Northeast Florida.
- Commit to full participation in the program.
- Be academically sound. An average of “B” or better is recommended.
- The program will require students to miss seven days of class (one per month)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The St. Johns County Tax Collector offers a Learner Permit Prep Class and the General Knowledge Exam in our program that meets the new Florida driver education requirements at all 8 public high schools in St. Johns County. We will be at Ponte Vedra High School again December 3-16 and February 25-March 10.
Follow the link to register: SJCTC DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM – St. Johns County Tax Collector or email [email protected] for more information.
PERMIT PREP CLASS - DRIVER EDUCATION
Dear Ponte Vedra High School families,
Our practice exams with Revolution Prep are quickly approaching! If your student hasn’t registered yet, this is a great opportunity to get real test-day practice and an instant, detailed score report. Every family also receives a complimentary 30-minute score review to help map out the best testing strategy.
Exam Details
Digital ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 9am-12:30pm ET | live online | $20
Register Here: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/pvhs
Questions?
Christina Brownell | Call/Text: (904) 862-2663| [email protected]
REVOLUTION PREP - SUPPORTS YOUR SHARK
STUDENT COUNSELOR INFORMATION
ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
PVHS PTO
PTO General Meeting on 2/2/26
Mark your calendars! Please join the PTO General Meeting on February 2nd at 6.30pm in the Auditorium We have two incredible speakers for our Shark families! ACT/SAT College testing, applications/admissions and teen anxiety/stress will be covered all in one night. Be in attendance to enter our spot‑prize raffles! You don’t want to miss this informative program brought to you by your PTO!
Please follow the sign-up link to register:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084EADAA29A02-61668767-navigating
JOIN THE PTO TODAY!
The PVHS PTO plays a vital role in enhancing the educational experience for our students, teachers, and staff. Thanks to your generosity in past years, we’ve been able to fund meaningful projects such as bike racks, filtered water stations, and courtyard shade structures for students. We’ve also supported our dedicated teachers and staff with classroom resources, meals, and other essential needs throughout the year.
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
PVHS INFORMATION
2025-2026 DRESS CODE POLICY
Parents requesting a refund from your students cafe account please use the following link.
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/food/cafeteria-refunds/
For students remaining in the SJSD, all balances will carry over to the following year.
If you would like to move a balance between siblings, please email [email protected]
Per district policy, NO A La Carte purchases are allowed without funds in the account to cover them. A school lunch will be offered if the account does not have sufficient funds.
*You can use PayPams to pre load payments & set up low balance reminders on your students café account.
Payments can take up to 1-2 school days to upload. We do not accept PayPams phone receipts as proof of payment.
*If sending cash/checks please have your student bring to the café during breakfast, when we are not as busy.
THE PVHS TIBURON
The PVHS Tiburon
By: Evan Long On Dec. 1, the Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Sharks took on the University Christian School (UC) Fighting Christians at home. The Sharks started the game out ...
By: Xavier Garay The Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) girls’ soccer team faced the Stanton High School Blue Devils on senior night, Dec.15 Senior captain, Taylor McKeon said, “I am ...
The Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Speech and Debate Team competed at the Florida Speechand Debate Initiative Statewide Tournament on December 6 and 7. Teams from across the statecompeted to ...
HERE'S YOUR SIGN TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW!
Do you want to learn American Sign Language? Click on the ASL Dictionary created by our PVHS SHARKS!
