Sophia Wiley makes her way down the row to shake hands after she receives her Lakewood Ranch High School diploma at Lecom Park May 18.
Photo by Madison Bierl
East County
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Walking up to the podium on May 19 at LECOM Park, Madison Goodwin felt a little nervous.
But while delivering her speech as a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School, she said a wave of calm and accomplishment took over as she reflected on the past four years of her life.
"When we look back years from now, I don't think most of us will remember every high score or assignment," Goodwin said. "We will remember the teachers who believed in us when we didn't believe in ourselves, the friends who sat beside us during hard moments, and the classmates who loved hearing us laugh during stressful days."
The Lakewood Ranch High School commencement ceremony for the class of 2026 took place May 18 at Lecom Park with 603 seniors receiving their diplomas.
Jack Crosbie, who served as the Bravo Company Commander in the Lakewood Ranch High JROTC and who has been accepted into the United States Air Force Academy, said he is eager for the next chapter.
"It was such a relief finally being able to move on from the homework, tight daily schedule, and stress, but it was also so sad realizing that we have to move on," Crosbie said.
Savanna Chumbley, president of Girls in White Coats at Lakewood Ranch High, said she was both excited and nervous to graduate. She is eager to forge her own path.
"This is such a huge milestone in my life and I am just so grateful for the opportunities that Lakewood Ranch High School has given me," Chumbley said. "I will look back on the friendships I have built and that got me through hard times, but I am also looking forward toward college."
Madison Goodwin speaks about her fond memories from Lakewood Ranch High, which include teachers who believed in her and laughing with her classmates.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Savanna Chumbley, president of Girls in White Coats, says graduating is a huge milestone in her life and she is grateful for all the opportunities Lakewood Ranch High School has given her.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Richard Tatem, vice chair of the school board and a veteran, congratulates Jack Crosbie on graduating and being accepted into the United States Air Force Academy.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Emma Mandzik accepts her diploma with mixed emotions as her time at Lakewood Ranch High School has ended. She says she will look back on how well she was supported by her friends.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Brennen Sidnam, Trey Rowland and Ethan Ruben, who medalled in the regional competition for weightlifting, flex on their high school years.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Julia Vendramini starts her graduation speech with numbers to show how much time has passed for seniors — 280 days since first day of senior year and around 4,673 days since the beginning of kindergarten.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Isabelle Mayo, Collete Testa and Emma Syfert capture a moment before they walk LECOM Park to receive their diplomas.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Madeline Vitale, Savanna Chumbley, Elizabeth Sponsel, Samantha Devine, Andrea Toro Colon and Hayden Zimmerman graduate as members of Girls in White Coats.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Danielle Syfert, Nicole Santiago and Christine Moore want to make clear who they are here to support. This meant making copies of Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Emma Syfert's face to cheer her on.
Photo by Madison Bierl
With a Bible in hand, Collete Testa says she feels blessed to be graduating and following God’s plan for her life.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Genevieve Sammons, who was colorguard captain and a member of band and choir, receives her diploma.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Assistant Principal Thomas Bellantonio "takes a flick" with graduating seniors Kaleb Nardi, Savannah Moore and Jackson Fawcett.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sydney MacCalmon, Gabriella Caraher and Jack Lowrance prepare to walk the field at Lecom Park to graduate from Lakewood Ranch High School.
Photo by Madison Bierl
School Board Member Heather Felton says she is proud of graduating senior Jack Lowrance for not only his academic accomplishments, but his community work.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Layla Benshoff and Madelyn Boyd celebrate after the conclusion of the Lakewood Ranch High School graduation ceremony at Lecom Park.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Dawn Haushalter, Robin Perez, Moises Perez, Anger Serrano and Avelina Besse of the English for Speakers of Other Languages program celebrate at the Lakewood Ranch High School graduation ceremony.
Kuwain Claxton and Ka’Mya Dunbar ordered custom stoles for graduation day which include pictures of themselves.
Photo by Madison Bierl
At Lecom Park May 18, 603 seniors from Lakewood Ranch High School complete high school and receive their diplomas.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
