Riverview Parents Accept Tampa Catholic Diploma In Son's Name

TAMPA, FL -- A little over four years ago Andrew Joseph, III was an eager eighth-grade student at St. Stephen's Catholic School in Riverview looking forward to a bright future.

He had applied to attend Tampa Catholic High School where he was determined to be a student-athlete and represent the green and white as a Crusader.

But his life was cut short before he could realize his dream.

Last week, Tampa Catholic remembered Andrew Joseph III during the annual Senior Farewell Assembly that Joseph hoped to one day attend.

“Andrew Joseph III was our only son," said his mother, Deanna, addressing the members of the 2018 senior class of Tampa Catholic. Some had attended St. Stephen’s Catholic School with Joseph. Others never had the chance to know him.

"He was kind and generous. Andrew had many friends. He was an advocate for those who struggled with self-esteem or lacked motivation,” she told the students gathered for the assembly. “Andrew was an exceptional athlete. He loved being in activities and energizing those around him. Andrew had a great sense of humor and could always look to the bright side of issues.”

It was the friendly and fun-loving side of Joseph that had him looking forward to joining other Hillsborough County students for Student Day 2014 at the Florida State Fair. In an annual tradition, students get the day off to attend the fair.

But with thousands of students gathered in one location, some misbehavior is inevitable. That year, the unruliness escalated. Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies arrested 12 students and ordered 99 others to leave the fairgrounds.

Andrew Joseph III somehow got caught in the chaos and was among the students ejected from the fairgrounds.

Joseph's parents say a deputy dropped their 14-year-old son off two miles from the fair. Joseph was crossing Interstate 4 to return to the fairgrounds to meet his scheduled ride home when he was struck by a car and killed.

He never knew that he got into Tampa Catholic High School. The acceptance letter arrived after his death.

It’s one of Deanna and Andrew Joseph II’s most cherished items in a scrapbook filled with memories of their son.

They say it speaks not only to his ambition to succeed but also to his deep faith and love of the Catholic church.

“He knew that this was the one place that was Christ-driven and carried the mission of service with love and integrity,” said Deanna Joseph. “His love and light continue to resonate today, four years after he was killed.”

Now, the Josephs have another treasured item to add to that scrapbook.

During the Senior Farewell Assembly, Tampa Catholic High School Principal Robert C. Lees presented the Josephs with an honorary diploma in their son’s name.

As a result of their son’s death, the Josephs started the Andrew Joseph Foundation, which works with the school district and sheriff’s office to ensure that students are kept safe not only on Student Fair Day but every school day.

Image via Tampa Catholic High School

Parents Andrew Joseph II and Deanna Joseph are presented with an honorary diploma by Tampa Catholic High School Principal Robert C. Lees. They gathered with students, faculty and staff of Tampa Catholic for a Senior Farewell Assembly, which included honoring Andrew Joseph III, who would have graduated from Tampa Catholic this year.