Lakewood Ranch High School graduates look to the future

By Liz Ramos
| 8:30 a.m. May 17, 2024

Dustin Dahlquist, the principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, congratulates Karina Lee.

East County
Schools

Samuel Barr, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, heard his name called.

He took a few steps onto the baseball field at LECOM Park and unzipped his graduation gown to unveil a World Wrestling Entertainment belt.

He showed off the belt as he made his way to receive his diploma May 16.

Although he's not sure what college he will attend, Barr knows he wants to study broadcast journalism so he can make his dream of becoming a WWE commentator a reality.

For now, Barr is grateful for the support of his friends, family and Lakewood Ranch High teachers.

"I've had a lot of ups and downs in high school, but I'm really happy I made it, and I get to see everyone I grew up with come together to celebrate," Barr said.

Kaylie Adams said as excited as she is to graduate, it's also nervewracking because it means she'll be going off to college. She is going to the University of South Florida.

She looks forward to having a more flexible schedule, but she knows the classes will be more difficult and she will have to adjust to living without her parents.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Gabriella Dagostino, Audrey Riegling and Delaney Martin says it feels surreal to be graduating.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Jaden Campoli and Elvin Karimov both plan to study computer science in college.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Delaney Martin, Summer Araujo, Emaline Chope and Carmen Lemus say graduation is a time to celebrate their hard work paying off.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Logan Scott, Logan Catlett and Connor Henning are happy to be done with high school and move onto college.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Anatalia Diaz and Shelby McGrew first met as freshmen and then became coworkers at Starbucks.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Clarissa Molinar, Anabella Cepero and Matthew Kemp are excited to graduate.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Ethan Kranert and Kaylie Adams are ready for their next chapters. Kranert is going to Florida Gulf Coast University while Adams will attend the University of South Florida.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Ashley Taylor, Emersen Turner and Kayla Mayrina, who have been friends since freshman year, say they couldn't have made it to graduation without their friendships.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Kieran Dan, Alexander Figueroa, Vincent Vanacore and Conner Snyder are ready to accept their diplomas.

A family holds up cutouts of a Lakewood Ranch High School's graduate's head and cheers for him.

Dustin Dahlquist, the principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, welcomes families and friends to graduation.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Spencer Boyer reminds his classmates of the power of hope. "Hope is what drives our lives where we realize it or not," he says.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Olivia Chumbley tells her classmates to stop second guessing themselves and go after what they want, even if it scares them.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Joyce Gad asks her classmates to embrace the present.

Jeannie Galindo, an assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, congratulates Andrew Boudreau and hands him his diploma.

Tess Lippincott, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, beams with pride after receiving her diploma.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Cristal Aguillon walks to receive her diploma. She will be the first in her family to go to college.

Jason Wysong, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, congratulates Cristal Aguillon, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate.

Ryan Donnelly, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, waves to his family.

Kaley Edwards, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, busts a move on her way to receiving her diploma.

Wesley Geiger, a Lakewood Ranch High School, celebrates on his way to receiving his diploma.

Ava Horne, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, dances her way across the field.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Dominic Javate points to his family in the audience before accepting his diploma.

Thomas Bellantonio, an assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, hands Gabriel Legutko his diploma.

Dustin Dahlquist, the principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, laughs as Andrew Lazinek strikes a pose for their photo together.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Kelly Smith-Williams congratulates Aidan Silano, whom she has known since his freshman year.

Mike Staker, a Lakewood Ranch High School assistant principal, hands the final graduate of the night, Jack Zolecki, his diploma.

Samuel Barr, a Lakewood Ranch High School, moves his tassel signifying his graduation.

Vanessa Sellmer hugs Ava Horne to celebrate their graduation from Lakewood Ranch High School.

After graduating from Lakewood Ranch High School, Samuel Barr hopes to go to school for broadcast journalist so he can become a WWE commentator.

Jason Fisher, Evan Fisher and Sophie Fisher celebrate the graduation of Evan Fisher from Lakewood Ranch High School.

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.