Marathon High School honored sophomore Giordani Prieto on Nov. 1 as the first Monroe County student to receive the IT Pathway Silver Award, along with a $700 cash prize. Joining him in the celebration were his teacher, Tracy McDonald, and Caroline Bleske, the school district’s career and technical education coordinator.
“The IT Pathway is an awesome program and a lot of fun,” Prieto said. “The incentive rewards have motivated me to learn as much as I can.”
“Giordani has the potential to go even further and could be the first to achieve the Gold Award,” said McDonald.
“Prieto has completed three Level III certificates, recognized nationally for IT proficiency, and has earned nine college credit hours, applicable to Florida colleges and universities,” said Bleske. “If he completes two more Level III certificates, he will have 15 college credit hours — equivalent to a semester of college coursework.”
The IT Pathway program, available in all Monroe County middle and high schools, allows students to learn at their own pace. “Marathon students are expected to excel this year, and Giordani’s achievement paves the way for others,” McDonald said.
Prieto began his journey on the IT Pathway in sixth grade at Marathon and continues to set ambitious academic and career goals. Including this award, he has accumulated over $1,500 in certification prizes. He plays on Marathon’s soccer team. Off the field, he dedicates himself to his IT studies and aspires to pursue an engineering degree.
The IT Pathway awards are funded by Key West philanthropist John Padget, co-founder of the Golden Fleece Foundation.
“We are thrilled to see Giordani Prieto’s early success in the IT Pathway,” Padget said. “Creating this program is one of our core philanthropic goals, and we look forward to seeing many more students like Giordani thrive.”
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