WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Hard-working students in Pasco County are being recognized for their achievements as part of the 36th annual Project Turnaround awards ceremony.

The event marks an important part of the district’s graduation enhancement program, which aims to prevent dropouts.  

“If you would’ve told me two years ago that I would be receiving something like this, I would’ve laughed in your face,” River Frey said. 

Frey, who recently graduated from Anclote High School, was presented with this year’s Turnaround Student of the Year award.

“It means a lot because I held the expectations of myself to bring this academic comeback," Frey said. "I owe it to my teachers a lot as well.”

In fact, Frey has quite the supporting cast around him. Alongside him are four staff members from Anclote High School. One of them being a "support our students" teacher Kristy Deperto.

“Working two jobs and coming to school every sing day, he was able to get the work done and overcome that,” Deperto said.

Frey enrolled at Anclote at the beginning of his junior year and was off track for graduation. But during his second semester, he says, he decided to make a change. He began attending an extended school day every day to get caught up and has since graduated.

He says the support from his teachers and girlfriend inspired him to make the change.

“Every day we have a fresh start so that’s the River we got to see here today and honor," Deperto said. "He’s an incredible young man.”

Frey now has hopes of becoming a teacher one day.

“Last year there was this disciplinary IA, Mr. Davis," Frey said. "He’s a very good role model for me, myself and other students. He is currently a U.S. history teacher, and that inspires me to do the same.”