Seniors graduated at the Bradenton Area Convention Center Wednesday.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 9:00 a.m. June 2, 2016
East County
Schools
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Halen Rath told her classmates that it was okay to make mistakes.
She delivered a speech to her 470 fellow seniors, and the hundreds of friends and family in the audience, during the Lakewood Ranch High School graduation ceremony Wednesday, June 1 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Sierra Camuto and Jessica Zelitt also spoke before their graduating class.
"Mistakes are in fact a beautiful thing," Rath said. "If we never messed up, we'd never be motivated to try again."
Liam Bramley watches the senior video.
Mackenzie Popp, Sam Kegg, Jessica Cocovan and Julie Krusing
Ava McCaum and Anna McDaniel
Darla Walker talks with Siobhan Morley, who was an office aide with Walker this year.
Parker Whitlock, Nick Wilcox and Sage Wilkerson
Scott Sams, Tyree Rome and Bradley Roeder. Rome had all his friends sign Chester the dog to remember his success. "A lot of people told me I wouldn't be able to graduate," he said.
Conli Schwarz, Kailyn Scully and Jackie St. John,
Melissa Ackaway talks to her calculus teacher Ann Johnson.
Hannah Miller and Elliana Mortellaro said they were both nervous about walking across the stage.
Graduates line up to enter the ceremony.
Chloe Gingerich stands in recognition of receiving the Lakewood Legends award. Faculty voted on three seniors who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, citizenship and community service. Carly Patterson and Kailyn Scully also received the award.
Sierra Camuto delivers the first senior speech.
Jessica Zelitt spoke at graduation about being diagnosed with leukemia as a child and how it encouraged her to "call the shots" in her own life.
Principal Craig Little flips the tassel of Anna Kwiatkowski.
Dominic Rego shakes School Board Vice Chairman Charlie Kennedy's hand after getting his diploma.
Lakewood Ranch's 470 seniors receive their diplomas, amid cheering from their friends and family.
Elizabeth Ciemniecki shakes Principal Craig Little's hand.
Nathan Grim and Linda Balavage clap as Grim's brother, Hayden, walks in.
Lisa Zona and twins Sara and Amy Zona video their older brother, Derek, as he enters the ceremony.
Adam Kersey holds up a sign for his brother, Caleb. Kevin Kalina and Joy Haugaard are close friends of the family and drove from Osteen, Fla., to watch Caleb graduate.
