- June 12, 2025
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Commencement speaker Nadia Gandi makes her way to receive her diploma while waving to the crowd.
Photo by Madison BierlCarmine Nickens and Ledger Newton wait for the commencement ceremony to begin.
Photo by Madison BierlValedictorian Olivia Spiegel walks to give her speech at the commencement ceremony. She plans to attend Georgia Institute of Technology.
Photo by Madison BierlMarco Ulstad is all smiles when his name is called to receive his diploma.
Photo by Madison BierlLRHS graduate Vicente Rivera, along with his father Humberto Rivera and mother Natalia Rivera, are excited and eager for Vicente Rivera to attend the United States Naval Academy after graduation.
Photo by Madison BierlWayne Boatwright scans the crowd before dancing his way to receive his diploma.
Photo by Madison BierlMichael Wood, LRHS English teacher, gives words of advice to Katelyn Riley. "I'm going to cry," said Riley.
Photo by Madison BierlAndrew Pintacuda graduates in the top 10% with a ranking of 38. He was a duel enrollment student and will play soccer at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Madison BierlKendall Huerta is in the top 10% of the graduating seniors which is symbolized by the silver robe. Her ranking is 44th.
Photo by Madison BierlDaytona Clifton blows kisses and dances as she heads to receive her diploma.
Photo by Madison BierlCullen Hall McRae II, a member of SGA (LRHS Student Government) is all smiles as his name is called to receive his diploma.
Photo by Madison BierlVictor Hugo Madalena receives a handshake as he receives his diploma. Madalena grew up in Brazil and came to LRHS as a freshman not knowing any English and now speaks it fluently.
Photo by Madison BierlAlexis Eickelmann and Avery Batey pose for a photo together after receiving their diplomas.
Photo by Madison BierlCarmen Purpus, who teaches AP Psych and AP World, poses with Juliet Testa after the commencement ceremony.
Photo by Madison BierlSchool board member Richard Tatem congratulates LRHS graduate Vicente Rivera who will attend the United States Naval Academy.
Photo by Madison BierlGraduating seniors Kyle Gagnon, Kaden McCoy and Logan Calkins take a selfie at LECOM Park after the commencement ceremony.
Photo by Madison BierlEduardo Zoppe receives his diploma at the commencement ceremony. Zoppe teaches a stage technology class at Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
Photo by Madison BierlAvelina Besse, ESOL (English speakers of languages) teacher aide at LRHS, and Victor Hugo Madalena pose together before the commencement ceremony. Madalena can speak Portugese, English, Italian and Spanish.
Photo by Madison BierlAs she heard her name called over the speakers at LECOM Park on May 13, Lakewood Ranch High's Olivia Spiegel walked toward the stage to receive her diploma.
Spiegel, Lakewood Ranch High School’s 2025 valedictorian, described graduating as bittersweet, and said she would not "trade her high school experience for the world." She is excited for her next chapter at Georgia Institute of Technology.
“I learned how to work hard and play hard,” Spiegel said of her time in high school. “I had a great balance of balancing varsity sports, my academics, and also making sure I had time to hang out with my friends and savor the moments with my family.”
Spiegel was involved in track, cross country and soccer during her high school years. In her speech at the commencement ceremony, she compared the journey of graduation to a race. Spiegel said the journey isn’t just for the graduates, but for the people on the sideline who never stopped believing in them.
“We reach the finish, our bodies giving out as we step over the line, collapsing on the ground, gasping for air and chugging down bits of water with grass and dirt in it,” Spiegel said. “We are overcome with a significant sense of accomplishment.”
