By PAT RAIA, [email protected]
Students and faculty of Central High School in Brooksville are mourning Valentina Tomashosky, the 17-year-old who was killed when she stepped on a live power line this past weekend. The young woman’s name was released by the Hernando County School District with her family’s permission.
Described as an “outstanding student” who was quick to smile and help others, “Val” was a senior at Central High School in Brooksville where she was a cadet lieutenant in the school’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program. In addition to her activities at the school, Val volunteered at a local nursing home.
She planned to study forensics at Pasco-Hernando State College in the fall.
According to the school’s NJROTC Commander, Christian Cruz, the teen was recognized as a leader and mentor.
“Valentina was admired for her dedication to the unit, but she was loved most for her joyful spirit and her ever-present smile,” Cruz said. “ Her loss is deeply felt and she will be missed.”
Details of memorial services have not yet been not finalized.
Valentina was driving northbound on Evenglow Avenue on April 11 when her car collided with a live power line that had been downed by a fallen tree during the series of strong storms that tore through Hernando County. The collision caused her car to catch fire. She was able to escape through the passenger door but was fatally electrocuted when she stepped on the live power line.
A scholarship has been established in Valentina’s name.
