Braden River High graduates look to the future

By Liz Ramos
| 2:30 p.m. May 20, 2023

Braden River High School's Cesar Valera and Erika Vargas are excited for graduation.

East County
Schools

Although Braden River High School's Luis Gil and Christopher Phillips are grateful for their four years of memories in high school, they are ready for the next step.

"(Graduation) is a new door opening, a new beginning," Gil said. "Any mistakes I made in high school won't matter. It's a fresh start."

Walking across the field at LECOM Park May 20 during Braden River High School's graduation meant the beginning of a new chapter for 385 graduates.

Gil and Phillips will attend State College of Florida next school year before transferring to a Florida university.

Phillips said receiving his diploma made him feel that the past 13 years of hard work at school has paid off.

Graduate Mikhail Kusumo couldn't wait to receive his diploma.

"It's a privilege to graduate," he said. "I'm happy and relieved because after four years of hard work, we get to graduate."

Braden River High School Assistant Principal Laura Gonzalez hands Benny Hedgepeth his diploma.

Braden River High School's Ashley Walker and Ally Patmor are graduating early.

Braden River High School's Caitlin Morin, Daniella Barragan, Amya Dunbar and Lily Hornish are happy to know their hard work paid off.

Braden River High School's Olivia Hunt and Leah Buehler are nervous but excited for graduation. "I have butterflies in my stomach," Buehler says.

Braden River High School's Guadalupe Calzada, Imagyn Laraway, Mikhail Kusumo and Jules Bruno are happy and relieved to make it to graduation day.

Braden River High School's Declan Hudson and Madison Tamburin prepare for graduation.

Braden River High School's Rebecca Lima, Chloe Simmons, Mea Adkins, Dominic Berardi and Audrey Cummins are thrilled to graduate.

Braden River High School's Swahina Risselin and Isabella Ferrito say high school was a time where they made a lot of memories and connected with people and grew as people.

Braden River High School's Zebastian Rodriguez, Adrian Fox and Sebastian Collado say graduating from high school feels pretty good. "Four years went by really fast," Collado says.

Braden River High School's Luis Gil, Ethan Phonthipsavath and Christopher Phillips are ready to start a new chapter in their lives.

Braden River High School's Asher Jernigan and Laila Jiles say graduating from high school feels like freedom.

Braden River High School's Julianna Chupp, Donovan Cinelli and Amanda Cineus are lined up for the ceremony.

Braden River High School graduates line up.

Braden River High School's Stuart Macaulay waits for the ceremony to begin.

Braden River High School graduates in the top 10% of their class wear silver robes.

Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations for the School District of Manatee County, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders and Braden River High School's Reagan Hammond, Mahima Patel and Daliah Helfrich are ready for graduation.

Braden River High School's Gracie Pino and Jenna Blackstone celebrate receiving their diplomas.

Braden River High School graduates throw their caps in the air.

Braden River High School bookkeeper assistant Marisol Hernandez hugs her son Nathan Zapote before handing him his diploma.

Braden River High School's Reagan Hammond asks graduates to think about what kind of person will they be in the future.

Braden River High School's Mahima Patel tells the graduates that graduation "is a celebration of you and all you've accomplished."

Braden River High School's Daliah Helfrich is the first student speaker.

Braden River High School's Stuart Macaulay leads everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Braden River High School Principal Carl Auckerman welcomes families and friends.

Braden River High School graduates look for their families in the crowd.

Braden River High School graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas.

Braden River High School's Jessey Colas celebrates with Manatee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Damon Ackerman.

Amy Fleming congratulates her son Austin Fleming on his graduation from Braden River High School with her husband, Alex Fleming. "We're very proud of him," Amy Fleming says.

Braden River High School's Skylar Alsum (center) celebrates her graduation with her family.

Alison McLeod celebrates her daughter Ava McLeod's graduation from Braden River High School with her husband, Jason McLeod. "It was so emotional," Alison McLeod says. "She grew up in a blink of an eye."

Braden River High School Principal Carl Auckerman congratulates Dylan Jackson.

Braden River High School Assistant Principal Matthew Whelden hands Erika Vargas her diploma as she holds back tears.

Braden River High School's Gabriella Ramirez-Barrero is excited to be graduating.

Braden River High School's Shelby Henry looks to her family in the crowd before receiving her diploma.

Braden River High School's Kennedy Lollar waves to her friends.

Braden River High School Principal Carl Auckerman congratulates Justin Millares.

Braden River High School Principal Carl Auckerman shakes hands with Jusline Torres.

Braden River High School Principal Carl Auckerman congratulates Isabella Pasquale.

Braden River High School Assistant Principal Laura Gonzales hands Terrence Tysall his diploma.

author

Liz Ramos

Senior Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.