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Booker High School hosts upbeat graduation ceremony

The Booker High School Class of 2018 graduated May 17 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 6:20 p.m. May 17, 2018
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Between the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the robes adorning the Booker High School Class of 2018, the colors for the evening were undeniably purple and gold.

The graduates lined up through the halls of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, while their friends and family found their seats in the auditorium, getting their phones ready to for when they saw their graduates. 

Cheers erupted the auditorium as the graduates made their walk to take their seats. Many cheers and shouts continued throughout the ceremony for the commencement speakers and student music performances. In addition to three commencement speeches and three musical performances, guests also watched a senior year review video. The graduates laughed as they watched their friends videos and photos pop up on the screen during the video. 

The commencement ended with the graduates walking the stage for their diplomas and a presentation of the class by Booker High School Principal, Dr. Rachel Shelley.

Alexis Booker shows off her
Alexis Booker shows off her "Beauty Queen" hat.
The Booker High School Graduation Ceremony was hosted at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
The Booker High School Graduation Ceremony was hosted at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Alicia Furnice, Jakeuia Gaither, Betsy Gircia and Presiosa Garcia
Alicia Furnice, Jakeuia Gaither, Betsy Gircia and Presiosa Garcia
Fabiola Perez Hernandez and Leslie Perez Dejesus
Fabiola Perez Hernandez and Leslie Perez Dejesus
Kristen Raynor decorated her graduation cap.
Kristen Raynor decorated her graduation cap.
Shelby Swanson, Storm Tracy and Michelle Anderson
Shelby Swanson, Storm Tracy and Michelle Anderson
Dashaunae Turner
Dashaunae Turner
Graduates smile for the camera as they wait to line up.
Graduates smile for the camera as they wait to line up.
Guests could purchase flower bouquets for their graduate.
Guests could purchase flower bouquets for their graduate.
Marius Pollox, Keisha Marceus, Jasmine Robinson, Jermaine Ziegler, Kayin Pinkney and Trion Robinson
Marius Pollox, Keisha Marceus, Jasmine Robinson, Jermaine Ziegler, Kayin Pinkney and Trion Robinson
Kayla Mcgann, Dashaunae Turner, Jamaya DeVaughn and Reyana Robinson
Kayla Mcgann, Dashaunae Turner, Jamaya DeVaughn and Reyana Robinson
Students wait to line up on the stairs.
Students wait to line up on the stairs.
Emma Diner, Sarah Johnson and Atticus Taylor
Emma Diner, Sarah Johnson and Atticus Taylor
Two students smile for the camera as they line up.
Two students smile for the camera as they line up.
Brianna Wheeler
Brianna Wheeler
The graduates entered the auditorium and made their way down the stairs.
The graduates entered the auditorium and made their way down the stairs.
Friends and family took photos of their graduates as they entered the auditorium.
Friends and family took photos of their graduates as they entered the auditorium.
A student poses as he walks in the line up.
A student poses as he walks in the line up.
Samantha Crawford, Emma Diner and Sarah Johnson perform.
Samantha Crawford, Emma Diner and Sarah Johnson perform.
Faculty and distinguished guests clap for the performers.
Faculty and distinguished guests clap for the performers.
Dequontez Lavender gives his commencement speech about overcoming the odds.
Dequontez Lavender gives his commencement speech about overcoming the odds.
A student's hat is decorated with
A student's hat is decorated with "Mom this one's for you."
A graduate reads the program for the evening.
A graduate reads the program for the evening.
The graduates and their families and friends filled the auditorium of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
The graduates and their families and friends filled the auditorium of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
A student snaps along to the music.
A student snaps along to the music.
Students eye another student from across the row as they dance to the music.
Students eye another student from across the row as they dance to the music.
Students perform
Students perform "Stand by Me" as the first musical selection.
Abigail Pagan gives her commencement speech.
Abigail Pagan gives her commencement speech.
A student drums during the performance of
A student drums during the performance of "Don't Stop Believing."
Students smile as they watch the musical performance.
Students smile as they watch the musical performance.
The graduation ceremony was lively and upbeat.
The graduation ceremony was lively and upbeat.
A student plays the guitar during the performance for
A student plays the guitar during the performance for "Don't Stop Believing."
A graduate claps along to the song.
A graduate claps along to the song.
Franco Ruiz points to his hair during his commencement speech and says
Franco Ruiz points to his hair during his commencement speech and says "you all know me by the green hair."
Many students decorated their hats before the ceremony.
Many students decorated their hats before the ceremony.
Booker High School graduated 100 percent of its 2018 class according to a commencement speech.
Booker High School graduated 100 percent of its 2018 class according to a commencement speech.
A student smiles for the audience as she gets her diploma.
A student smiles for the audience as she gets her diploma.
A graduate walks the stage after grabbing his diploma.
A graduate walks the stage after grabbing his diploma.
Shaking hands with a faculty member, a graduate walks to get her diploma.
Shaking hands with a faculty member, a graduate walks to get her diploma.
Many students hugged their favorite faculty members on stage.
Many students hugged their favorite faculty members on stage.

 

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