Braden River High graduates say farewell to high school

By Liz Ramos
| 2:00 p.m. May 15, 2024

Braden River High graduate Adanna Wharton hugs Principal Carl Auckerman. Wharton will go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

East County
Schools

After four years of making and losing friends and having to persevere over any challenges, Braden River High's Ian Gonzalez was relieved to make it to graduation.

"I'm proud to say I've done it and I'm moving onto the next stage," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez's next stage can start now that he has received his diploma during graduation May 14 at LECOM Park. He hopes to someday be a voice actor, but in the meantime, he plans to enroll at Manatee Technical College to focus on information technology and computers.

Graduation was a bittersweet moment for many as they knew the ceremony could be the last time they see their friends for awhile as they go their separate ways.

Emilie Colas, Naydeli Palacios and Marsha Joseph have been friends since fifth grade. They held back tears thinking about how they wouldn't get to see each other at school anymore.

"It's not really goodbye, it's more 'see you later,'" Palacios said, reassuring her friends they would reconnect in the future.

Braden River High's Josiah Nicasio, Connor Infanti and Elliott Parker says it feels great to graduate. "It's been a long journey, but we made it," Parker says.

James Straub, a Braden River High math teacher, congratulates his student, Jacob Karam. "He's a super good teacher and one of the nicest people I've ever met," Karam says of Straub.

Braden River High's Airanna Gibbons helps Sivannah Gonzalez pin her graduation cap on her head.

Braden River High's Scott Gow, Sivannah Gonzalez, Airanna Gibbons and Ian Gonzalez take pride in graduating high school.

Braden River High's Fedhia Brunot, Hoor Rajab, Tala Samara and Jada Banks say it feels good to graduate. "We've been waiting for this moment," Banks says.

Braden River High's Derek Anders, Yahir Gonzalez, Alexander Caballero and Donovan Agelvis are ready to receive their diplomas.

Braden River High's Lysmar Ramirez and Angelica Cisneros weren't sure they would make it to graduation, but they are thrilled they did.

Braden River High's Liliana Vazquez, Camryn Jenkins and Alyssa D'Andraia are ready to start their new journeys and move onto college.

Braden River High's Emilie Colas, Naydeli Palacios and Marsha Joseph have been friends since fifth grade.

Braden River High's Nicole Flores and Brooke Bellows can't wait to graduate.

Braden River High's Hudson Knapp, Noelle Warren and Valeriia Havrylets are among the top 10% of their graduating class.

Braden River High graduates line up before the ceremony.

A family waves around cutouts of their Braden River High graduate's head.

Braden River High graduate Jeremy Young's family made shirts to celebrate his graduation. They cheer for him as her enters the field at the beginning of the ceremony.

Carl Auckerman, the principal at Braden River High, welcomes family and friends to graduation.

Jason Wysong, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, Sharon Scarborough, the executive director of secondary education, and Derek Jensen, the deputy superintendent of instructional services, are ready to see 395 Braden River High seniors graduate.

Braden River High's Alex Don Boggende shares his favorite quote, "In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take."

Braden River High's Alexandria Williams is the second student speaker.

Braden River High's Jean Itraish encourages her fellow graduates to chase their dreams with confidence.

Richard Tatem, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, congratulates Braden River High's Giovanni Sannuto.

Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, the drama teacher at Braden River High, congratulates Cat DeMocko.

Braden River High graduate Dylan Brown waves to the audience after receiving his diploma.

Braden River High Assistant Principal Rebecca Austerman hugs graduate Princton Davis.

Mary Foreman, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, congratulates Braden River High's Jeremiah Gonzalez.

Braden River High graduates Christopher Hemp, Thomas Hemp and Andrick Hernandez make their way across the field at LECOM Park to receive their diplomas.

Braden River High graduate Ezekiel Lopez shows off his diploma.

Jason Wysong, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, congratulates Braden River High graduate Tiffany Rock.

Braden River High graduate Hunter Seavey pumps his fist as he makes his way across the field.

Braden River High graduate Jainel Torrado waves to his family in the audience.

Braden River High graduate Hayleigh Vuong makes her hands into the shape of a heart to show love for people in the audience.

Last but not least, Jason Wysong, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, congratulates the final Braden River High graduate, Nicholas Zygmunt.

After turning their tassels, Braden River High graduates throw their caps in the air.

Braden River High graduates Micah Fedd and Kyle Langley hug after the ceremony.

Braden River High graduate Princton Davis celebrates with his family.

Dudley Octavien, Alexandra Jean-Baptiste, Tianna Jean-Baptiste, Braden River High graduate Jeremy Young, Merklene Octavien, Mimose Etienne and Danny Octavien celebrate Young's graduation. He was in the top 10% of his class.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing 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.