- February 13, 2025
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Za'Kiera Williamson wore a cap in honor of her father Antonio Wright.
Photo by Ian SwabyInga Wright, Michelle Holton, Beverly Johnson, Latoya Wright, Jala Johnson, and Mela Rainey attended because of graduate Amani Washington.
Photo by Ian SwabyGraduate Keon Sams' grandmother Kitt West and mother Keasha West sported t-shirts specially made for the occasion.
Photo by Ian SwabyBam Bam Johnson accompanied Barbara Purifoy, who dressed in support of her daughter Rejanae Wesley.
Photo by Ian SwabyAmani Washington and Trinity Adams
Photo by Ian SwabyJuan Zambrano plays saxophone with the band Fourcast.
Photo by Ian SwabyJulia Wren Grandpre and other students enter the auditorium.
Photo by Ian SwabyLuna Bermudez, Lilia Pearson, and Christain Hall watch the procession of students.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe color guard included Mitchell Dominguez, Mariana Guia-Arroyo, Yoan Hernandez, and Lissete Reyes.
Photo by Ian SwabyDanae Tran plays the national anthem on violin.
Photo by Ian SwabyIvana Rodriguez delivered a commencement speech.
Photo by Ian SwabyPrincipal Dr. Rachel Shelley speaks at the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyDanae Tran, Frederick Carr, and Genesis Gutierrez-Ronda were among those who performed the song "All the Stars."
Photo by Ian SwabyNora Mitchell delivers a commencement speech.
Photo by Ian SwabyTanaysia Talkovic and Claire Nicole Timney sing "True Colors" with the VPA Theatre Seniors.
Photo by Ian SwabyParents hold signs for graduates as the ceremony begins.
Photo by Ian SwabyStudents decorated their caps for the graduation ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyLeah Dubose delivers a commencement speech.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota County High School and Booker High School Teacher of the Year Courtney Smith greets Caleb West.
Photo by Ian SwabyGraduates applaud during the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyLauren Gonzalez Gomez and Fernanda Gonazalez-Alvarado wait to receive diplomas.
Photo by Ian SwabySchool board member Robyn Marinelli greets Ryan Fett.
Photo by Ian SwabyAlec Bue takes to the stage.
Photo by Ian SwabyLena and Raymond Walker dressed in honor of graduate Keon Sams.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota County High School and Booker High School Teacher of the Year Courtney Smith greets Briana Cristiani
Photo by Ian SwabyMariah Lattore celebrates graduating.
Photo by Ian SwabyStudents throw their caps as their graduation is formally announced.
Photo by Ian SwabyBest friends Maximo Garcia and Jesus Trujillo
Photo by Ian SwabyAudra Mullins and Akio D'Oyen
Photo by Ian SwabyZee Singleton, Will Carter, and Christian Robinson
Photo by Ian SwabyMaribel Rodriguez, commencement speaker Ivana Rodriguez, Abraham Cabral, and Erica Avalos
Photo by Ian SwabyFamilies, friends and students gathered for Booker High School’s 89th commencement ceremony on May 20 at the Robarts Arena.
Graduate Danae Tran played "The Star-Spangled Banner" on violin; the ceremony also featured performances of songs such as “All the Stars” and “True Colors” by members of the Booker High School Visual and Performing Art Center.
Graduate Ivana Rodriguez spoke about the resilience she learned from overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another graduate, Nora Mitchell, spoke about writing the story of one’s own life while also understanding others’ stories, describing everyone as “fighting their own battles and facing their own dragons, on their own arduous quest.”
A third graduate, Leah Dubose, spoke about making the most of the future.
“Honestly, it doesn’t feel real, because it’s all just now happening,” said Christian Robinson, who said he was “extremely” excited to pursue a psychology degree at Tallahassee Community College. “Once I get the feeling of it, I will say it was worth it.”