Congratulations Graduates!

This week, according to tradition, the School Board, Superintendent Sam Himmel, the Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Directors, school and district staff attended all of the high school graduations.  It is by far our very favorite activity of the year. Each of our high schools has their own special traditions that make each ceremony unique and personal for every school.  Each high school had several student speakers that did an outstanding job of entertaining, challenging and reflecting for their fellow graduates.

Citrus High School Class of 2012

This was the 100th graduation class for Citrus High School and what an impressive group of young people they were!  The evening began with the signing of our National Anthem by graduate Ashlyn Gibbs who did nothing less than a spectacular job.  The Reflection Speech was effectively given by Megan Gallery and a wonderful humorous, but meaningful, Vision Speech was given by Evan Kegler.

One of the significant things that made this evening so special was that it was the first Citrus High School to have its graduation ceremony broadcasted LIVE and worldwide.   Tim Stuart, Media Specialist at CHS and Jerry Swiatek, Instructional Technology Specialist, setup a live Internet feed for CHS graduation ceremony. The motivation for doing this was a father of one of the graduates who is serving in Afghanistan.  As a result of the use of additional technology, by evenings end, over 60 additional viewers from around the world were watching their own personal student participate in the 100th graduation Class of CHS and receive their diplomas, including that one father far away serving his country that inspired the class to do this.

Lecanto High School Class of 2012

This was a special year for Lecanto High School as it is the first graduating class for the Citrus International Baccalaureate (IB) and the last graduation for Principal Kelly Tyler who is retiring after serving for 11 years as principal of LHS.  Mr. Tyler gave a heartfelt good by speech to the students and staff of LHS and praised his wife and daughters for the family time that he had to give up in order to serve the many long hours as a principal.  The Reflection Speech was given by Alexis Strickland who got a loud laugh when she thanked, “Bing, Google and Wikipedia for helping her get through high school”.  The Vision Speech was given by Andrew Choung who was also the 2012 Golden Citrus Scholar Humanitarian Award winner.  Mr. Choung gave an impressive speech.

Crystal River High School Class of 2012

The Pirates know how to throw a party and always have an impressive ceremony that ends with a loud “bang”, cannon bang that is!  Walking onto the CRHS graduation stage is a bit like a Rocker must feel when walking on to the rock stage as the concert begins.  Lt. Commander Wayne Walker of the Naval Science JROTC program announces you as you walk on to the football field and up the center aisle to the stage which has a 20ft. video screen that reaches high into the sky.  This was an exciting night because it was the first class graduating that Principal Mark McCoy had when he was the principal of Crystal River Primary School. He then continued on with them to Crystal River Middle School and, lastly, as principal at Crystal River High School.  Mr. McCoy promised the class that they would do many great and wonderful things in the future, but, they would be doing it from now on without him, as he was NOT going to, “follow them all to college”!  The Reflections Speech was given by Kora-Ann Manz and the Vision Speech by Lacee Cowart.  Both young ladies did a wonderful job speaking to their fellow graduates about their days at CRHS and their future after graduation.

As the gradations finished and the planning for next year’s graduation begins it is a time for happiness, reflections and the beginning for next year’s planning.  As I watch these young people I worry for them for the many challenges they will faced but I am so proud of the work they have been and overcome to be high school graduates!  God Bless Them ALL!

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