After four years of sleepless nights spent managing grades and fulfilling service hour requirements, 377 seniors walked across stage at their graduation ceremony, claimed their diplomas, and walked off as high school graduates.
Thousands of parents, friends and family members gathered at the Don Taft University Center Arena at Nova Southeastern University Saturday, May 21 to honor the now American Heritage alumni. Doors to the arena opened promptly at 2 p.m. for guests, but Heritage teachers and faculty arrived as early as noon to oversee the setup. Lights and mics were checked, the main stage was vacuumed and lined with plants and students performing in the A Cappella choir arrived early to rehearse their positions and distribute programs. Outside of the main theater, a stand selling flowers and last-minute gifts was set up and golf carts carried guests from the parking garage to the student center.
The ceremony opened with senior class president Zachariah Chou’s introduction speech. True to himself, Chou interrupted the speech for a brief moment to take one last photo of the senior class in its entirety. Soon after, Upper School principal Mrs. Elise Blum took the podium to reflect on the class of 2016’s greatest accomplishments. Mrs. Blum emphasized the fact that, combined, seniors completed over 105,000 hours of community service. She encouraged students to live life to their fullest potential before introducing co-salutatorian Matthew Robins to deliver his speech.
Robins initially spoke about his rough beginnings in Model United Nations (MUN), a club he eventually came to preside over. Referring to a quote printed on the event’s pamphlet, Robins said, “We must surround ourselves with people who believe in the beauty of our dreams… nothing is greater than sharing in each other’s success.”
After Robins’ speech, co-salutatorian Ashley Westerfield and valedictorian Jared Shulkin shared their final remarks with the class. Last to speak was senior Jordyn Fitch, who took students back to their most memorable days at Heritage. Fitch’s reflection speech provoked tears and laughter from seniors, and concluded with the one sentence students had spent the past four years waiting to hear: “You can all relax now.”
When it was time for graduates to take their final walk as Heritage students, Academy principal Ms. Jackie Davis joined Mrs. Blum to distribute diplomas. Along with the other senior class advisors Mrs. Krisynda Cicos and Mr. Juan Laurteano, Mrs. Marisa Behar stood at the far end of the stage to move seniors’ tassels from right to left, signifying their graduate status.
“This year was the first year we were allowed to project students onto the big screens as they were handed their diplomas,” said WAHS advisor Mrs. Maria Molina. Students and parents agreed that projecting students onto the multiple projectors in the arena provided for a better view of the event.
Sophomore Diego Vazquez-Gomez attended graduation to show support to his theater troop. “I am really sad to see my friends leave, but I am here to support them,” Gomez said. “They have all become so close to me this year. I can’t wait to watch them walk across stage and throw their hats when they leave and be happy and continue on with their lives.
Once students finally had their diplomas in hand they joined together for one last time to listen to Mrs. Blum’s final, parting words. “Joseph Campbell once said, ‘The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.’ Don’t be afraid to take chances,” Blum said. “The future is yours. Use it well.”
