Swope, Rodante Vanguard Student Athlete Award Welcomes Two New Selection Board Members

Sara Bogue and Ray Roa join a distinguished group of Tampa Bay community leaders in recognizing outstanding Hillsborough County student-athletes.

TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, August 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Each year, the Swope, Rodante Vanguard Student Athlete Award recognizes outstanding Hillsborough County high school senior student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service.

Behind the award is a dedicated Selection Board made up of leaders from across the Tampa Bay community. With backgrounds spanning education, athletics, public service, law, business, media, and community leadership, each member brings a unique perspective to the selection process.

This year, we are excited to welcome two new members to the Selection Board: Sara Bogue and Ray Roa.

Welcoming Sara Bogue

Sara Bogue brings more than 20 years of experience in education and athletics within Hillsborough County Public Schools. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and athletic administrator. Today, she serves as Hillsborough County’s first female Director of Athletics, where she works to expand opportunities for student-athletes and promote excellence in athletics across the district.

A former collegiate basketball player, Sara understands firsthand the role athletics can play in developing resilience, teamwork, accountability, and leadership. Her career has been centered on helping students succeed both in the classroom and through athletics.

Sara earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Leo University and has served students and school communities at Newsome, Lennard, and Bloomingdale high schools. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and is an active member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Her extensive experience working with students, coaches, and athletic programs throughout Hillsborough County brings an important perspective to the Selection Board.

Welcoming Ray Roa

Ray Roa is the editor-in-chief and co-owner of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, where he has had a byline since 2011. Through his work, Ray has helped tell the stories of the people, communities, and issues that shape Tampa Bay.

He also co-hosts The Skinny, a public affairs radio program airing Fridays on WMNF 88.5-FM. His work has also appeared in the Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound, Suburban Apologist, REAX Music Magazine, and The Daily Beast.

A Tampeño since age 11, Ray has deep roots throughout the Tampa Bay area. In addition to his work with Creative Loafing, he works to grow and develop the Tampa Bay Journalism Project, a nonprofit-driven effort focused on expanding access to free local news and information across the region.

Ray’s longstanding connection to Tampa Bay and experience covering the people and stories of the community bring another valuable perspective to the Selection Board.

Meet the Selection Board

Sara and Ray join an accomplished group of community leaders who generously volunteer their time and experience to help select each year’s Student Athlete Award recipients:
Senator Arthenia Joyner — Former Florida Senate Minority Leader
Fentrice Driskell — Florida State Senator-Elect, District 16
Santiago Corrada — President and CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
Claire Lessinger — Vice President of Special Events, Tampa Bay Sports Commission
Chief Barbara Tripp — Fire Chief, Tampa Fire Rescue
Patrick Manteiga — Editor, La Gaceta
Carlton Rice — Assistant Athletics Director, USF
Chris Griffin — Certified Mediator and Attorney
Sara Bogue — Director of Athletics, Hillsborough County Public Schools
Ray Roa — Editor-in-Chief and Co-Owner, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

We are grateful to every member of the Selection Board for volunteering their time and expertise to recognize the hard work, leadership, and achievements of Hillsborough County student-athletes.

Together, they help ensure the Swope, Rodante Vanguard Student Athlete Award continues to celebrate students who excel in competition, achieve in the classroom, lead among their peers, and make a positive impact in their communities.

Vinny Dolan
Vanguard Attorneys
+1 813-471-4444
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