Cynthia Parker White is a 1970 Gibbs High School graduate. As a Gibbs student, she was active in marching and concert bands as a clarinet player, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society as President.

After graduating, she attended the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences in 1973 and a Master of Arts in School Counseling in Fall 1979. In the Spring of 1980, she was hired as a counselor at Gibbs High School, her beloved Alma Mater.

During her tenure at Gibbs, she served as testing coordinator, scholarship coordinator, Doorways (Take Stock in Children) coordinator, Bright Futures coordinator, and Homebound coordinator. The aspect of her profession that gave her the most joy was counseling her students one-on-one and in classroom settings. She was willing to share the life hardships she endured growing up with her students to prove they could overcome and succeed.

In 2005, Ms. White earned the title of Dr. Cynthia White by earning a Doctorate in Education. It was the culmination of a life-long goal she set for herself and her students as further evidence that a little Black girl from the Gas Plant area of South St. Petersburg could overcome with tenacity and hard work.

Always a prolific reader, Dr. White developed a passion for writing that was nurtured by Gibbs educators, particularly Miss Olive B. McLin, who has a building on the Gibbs campus that bears her name. Dr. Cynthia White is the published author of four books, co-author of five books, and editor/co-editor of three additional books.

Dr. White states that she is very proud of helping establish the Johnathan C. Gibbs High School Historical Museum as a lasting tribute to what Mr. Emanuel Stewart, a former Gibbs Principal, dubbed “the miracle on 34^th Street”.