SPEAKERS: Principal Jeffrey Haynes; Chin; Hill; Kelly Courtney, student council president; Shelly Gunter, senior class president
BEST QUOTE: "No obstacle is too great for the character and motivation we have developed over the past four years," Kelly Courtney said.
LENGTH OF CEREMONY: One hour and 34 minutes
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: This is the largest graduating class in the past 10 years, said assistant principal Deb Fabrizio.
HOW MANY ARE GOING INTO MILITARY: 4 percent HOW MANY ARE GOING TO COLLEGE: 82 percent confirmed through a guidance survey; 14percent said they would enter the work force.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Seniors simultaneously tugged on their caps as Fabrizio reminded everyone to push their tassels to the right side before marching onto H. Bentley Lawson Memorial Field.
SCENES AND SIGHTS: Dozens huddled under the metal bleachers to escape the heat. Alec Curtis' family waved six posterboard signs that spelled out the graduate's nickname, Almeer, as he walked across the stage.
ANY SPECIAL SECURITY: Six police officers and 120 staff members were on duty, scanning the crowd and manning the chainlink fence around the football field. This was the first time the ceremony was on campus. Administration wanted to reserve Tropicana Field, but graduation conflicted with the Devil Rays' game schedule.
SPECIAL GUESTS: Lee Benjamin of the Pinellas County School Board and Area III Director of Operations Ed Baldwin
CLASS GIFT: For the fourth year in a row, graduating seniors posted pictures of friends and high school memorabilia under an acrylic tabletop in the cafeteria. It represents the class, Gunter said. Only seniors are allowed to eat lunch at these tables. The class purchased a digital camera for the upcoming seniors to make a table and slide show.
WHERE WAS THE BEST PARTY SUPPOSED TO BE: Graduating seniors were invited to a late-night party in the cafeteria Tuesday night featuring a DJ, casino games and a mock jail to lock up "bad" teachers.
