Barbara C. Shorter became the first African-American female HIGH SCHOOL principal in Pinellas County when she was appointed to Gibbs High School in 1991. Having graduated Gibbs with the Class of 1953, she also became the school’s first graduate to return as its principal (male or female). To Mrs. Shorter, this was one of her greatest achievements in life. She received a B.S. in Business Education from Florida A and M University and an M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from FAMU. Further studies were completed in School Administration and Supervision at the University of South Florida.

Prior to Mrs. Shorter’s appointment to Gibbs, she was a Business Education teacher and Dean of Girls at Northeast High School from 1967 to l986. She was an Assistant Principal at Boca Ciega High from 1986 to 1991. After serving more than 36 years in the County, she is most proud and pleased that she, along with an outstanding administrative staff, teaching and support staff, and parent groups, “led the charge” in the quest, planning, and construction of the NEW Gibbs facility. Pride still comes to Mrs. Shorter in having led the “groundbreaking ceremony” in January 2003 and having assisted in the dedication ceremony in 2005. In doing so, the promise went out to many alumni, community members, and friends that a GIBBS MUSEUM would be established to provide insight into the history of our beloved Gibbs.

The Gibbs community will be forever thankful and indebted to the Gibbs History Museum Committee for leading the charge, picking up the torch, and moving forward with this project that has been 20 years in the making. The GIBBS MUSEUM is coming to fruition.