Graduates beat the rain and tossed their caps June 2 at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 9:58 p.m. June 2, 2017
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Just seven hours before rows upon rows of black and white-clad graduates filled the stadium at Sarasota High School, the rain was coming down so hard that drivers on Tamiami Trail couldn’t drive faster than 25 miles per hour.
However, at 8 p.m. on June 2 at Cleland Stadium, nearly 500 seniors sat in dry seats for a muggy yet clear night of reflection and celebration — their last night as high schoolers.
The end of their academic career in the Sarasota County Schools system began in two locations: the cafeteria for the girls, and the gymnasium for the boys. As the white-robed girls left the cafeteria in a single-file line, the black-robed boys were instructed to file into an identical line to the right of them.
They parted ways when they reached the track, but they reunited once they reached Ihrig Field, where each student walked down the aisle to their seat arm in arm with a student of the opposite sex.
Once seated, students listened to several performances, student speeches and a welcome from Principal David Jones before crossing the stage. Four years and countless homework assignments later, they did it — they earned their diploma.
Gabi Casciato and Sara Higham
Rashonda Williams, Jacqueline Reyes and Krystal Castell
Haley Beaulieu, Madison Napier, Ashley McDonald and Merissa Stewart
Adriana Langston and Chaslee Isterling
Cheyenne Hibner, Damian Rodriguez and Julie Wroblewski
Ryan Sherman, Emmanuel Lambright, Landon Koven and Javier Lavin
Teerth Patel, T’Shawn Barry, David Ervin and Tommy Vu
Ben Klein, Cole Grisson, Quinn Nilon, Earle Kelly, Conor Brady and Jeremy Erickson
Students waited for the signal to line up in the gymnasium before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Students waited for the signal to line up in the gymnasium before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Terra Jones and Zandy Sanders
Caira Merae Nuessle, Stephanie Katya Mamus and Lara Dasha Mamus
Sydney Camp, Brianna Dowd and Codi Elliott
Sean Whitton and Alex Wojtaszek
Students waited for the signal to line up in the gymnasium before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Supporters of the class of 2017 gathered on June 2 at Sarasota High School to show their love for the new graduates.
Students waited for the signal to line up in the cafeteria before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Students waited for the signal to line up in the cafeteria before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Students helped each other adjust their caps before lining up in the cafeteria before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Students waited for the signal to line up in the gymnasium before graduation began on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Graduates goof off in line outside the stadium before graduation on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Graduates goof off in line outside the stadium before graduation on June 2 at Sarasota High School.
Families and friends of graduates show their support before Sarasota High School graduation on June 2 at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
Students enter arm in arm during Sarasota High School graduation at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
Students enter arm in arm during Sarasota High School graduation at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
Student speakers approach the stage during Sarasota High School graduation at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
The crowd sings the National Anthem during Sarasota High School graduation at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
Students perform at the start of the Sarasota High School graduation ceremony at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
Students and faculty listen to student speeches during Sarasota High School graduation at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
Students listen to student speeches during Sarasota High School graduation at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.
