First class of seniors ready to soar from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy

In the inaugural commencement ceremony, 66 seniors from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy walk the stage at The Ora in Sarasota.

By Madison Bierl
| 2:23 p.m. May 21, 2026

Molly Reichenbach, Caio Menegardo and Brian Scanlon cheer for their classmates as they receive their diplomas from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy May 20.

East County
Schools

During her commencement speech, graduate Eliana Yeboah used the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy mascot — the eagle — to make a point.

"Eagles thrive in storms instead of running from them, so please use the strong winds to rise higher," Yeboah said. "Our class has faced challenges, setbacks and uncertainty. Yet here we are today — stronger, wiser and more resilient because of it."

While the notion of eagles flying into storms is somewhat of poetic myth, the point was well taken.

Yeboah said not everyone makes it through a storm, but the graduates did. They learned how to persevere, adapt and keep soaring through the uncertainties of change during their time at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.

In the inaugural commencement ceremony for Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, 66 seniors walked the stage at The Ora in Sarasota May 20.

Caio Menegardo said receiving his diploma was a surreal experience. He said it was thrilling to be part of the first class of seniors from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy to graduate.

"I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share this moment with, regarding both classmates and teachers," Menegardo said.

Jeffrey Crabtree, the inaugural Student Government Association supreme court chief justice, spoke to the audience about his club's first student constitution, saying that he is proud to be part of shaping the culture of the school.

"I feel excitement for my future but I also am sad to say goodbye to some of my classmates for the last time," Crabtree said. "I feel a sense of pride for finishing high school here and seeing through what I started four years ago."

Jeffrey Crabtree, the inaugural Student Government Association supreme court chief justice, received an engraved sound block after giving a speech at the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony.

As part of the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's inaugural graduating class, 66 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas.

April Robinson, vice principal at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, congratulates graduate Braxton Molinaro May 20 at The Ora.

Arianna Leo, a member of National Honor Society and the Student Government Association, shows off her Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy diploma moments after receiving it.

Head of School Chad McBane presents Eliana Yeboah, who gave a speech at graduation, her diploma.

The Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's inaugural commencement ceremony took place May 20 at The Ora in Sarasota.

Jayden Husted, a member of the Student Government Association at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, makes a stride toward his diploma at The Ora May 20.

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy graduates Julianna Cruz, Grace Cury and Anoop Dhaliwal await instruction to turn their tassels to signify the end of their high school careers.

Alex Montrevil (center), his mom, Esther Pierre, and his sister, Alexya Montrevil, celebrate Alex's graduation.

Marc Sacta, 2, is responsible for the oversized balloon until it can be given to graduate Kayla Moreira.

Suzan Ikele, the valedictorian of the inaugural class, says the difficult moments of high school shaped her just as much as the successful ones did and she never imagined she would give a speech at graduation.

Head of School Chad McBane presents Senior Class President Ciara Charles her diploma at the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony May 20 at The Ora.

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy underclassmen Benjamin Corbo, Parker McDaniel and Grace Ghylin play the National Anthem at the commencement ceremony May 20.

Andrew Cordani, who earned the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education diploma, heads to his seat as the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy commencement begins.

Mateo Orlandini, who used to attend Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, was glad to return to congratulate his friend, Anthony Gonzalez, on his graduation.

Julia Orlando, a graduate of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, is joined by her sisters, Olivia and Addison.

Hailey Wood, Ashley Tran, Sharon Dsouza and Sara Johnson get together after graduating from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy after the commencement ceremony at The Ora in Sarasota.

author

Madison Bierl

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.