One of Freedom High School’s most well-known students, Dean LaGattuta, was voted Senior Class President last year and has been making progress ever since.

“I’m thankful my classmates have elected me as class president,” said Dean. “Being class president is a humbling opportunity to improve the senior year experience for my fellow classmates. I hope to work diligently with Mr. Stephenson and administration to make this a fun and successful senior year for all.”

Over the summer, LaGattuta ensured that the seniors would get personalized parking spaces and had the parking lot painted with customized parking bumpers. He has also changed the prom venue to a spot on the USF campus and has set up a senior class kickball tournament.

Outside of school, the senior class president also spends a fair amount of time playing sports. LaGattuta has played United States Tennis Association competitive tennis for eight years and has been the number one seed and captain for the Freedom Boys’ varsity tennis team for all four years of his high school career. Along with being a star tennis player, LaGattuta also dabbles in soccer and has been on the Freedom varsity soccer team for all four years as well.

In addition to being senior class president, Lagattuta is also President of the Tampa Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council. Working alongside Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Lagattuta spends time participating in community service and leadership development classes and events. During the school year, he partakes in Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society, and is a current member of the Model UN.

“Dean is the right man to represent Freedom,” said senior Corri Gonzales. “Glad we got someone good enough to do the job.”

Being a senior, LaGattuta has spent some time thinking about what he plans to do after graduation.

“[My] plans for the future include hopefully attending the United States Military Academy at West Point and serving in the Army after earning a degree in political science,” said LaGattuta.

Dean Lagattuta is an established name on the Freedom High School campus but many do not know that he is a PS4 enthusiast and can also play the guitar.

“He’s the best person I know,” said senior Colleen McMahon. “Everyone respects him and for someone like me, who’s known him for so long, I’m just blessed to have him in my life.”

So far, LaGattuta has already made beneficial changes for the 2016 class and will continue to improve the seniors’ last year as Freedom Patriots.