East Lake High's senior class president had to find a place to graduate and she did in Tampa

When East Lake High School's graduating seniors found themselves without a graduation venue, class president Brittany Costansa took matters in her own hands.

She called every venue in Pinellas County. They were all booked or too small for the class of 550.

East Lake High School's class of 2009 will graduate Saturday at the Tampa Convention Center.

The senior class found out in November it wouldn't be able to graduate at the University of South Florida's Sun Dome. Hillsborough County schools reserved a 10-day block for their graduation ceremonies.

East Lake's field only holds 1,500. And the weather can be unpredictable, Costansa said.

Ruth Eckerd Hall, the closest venue, holds 2,500. The school outgrew it years ago.

Bright House Field was booked. It won't even be an option for next year's class, senior class sponsor Susie Peterson said. It's booked for 2010 too.

No one's really excited about the 45-minute drive, Peterson said, but everyone will be able to come. Limiting tickets wasn't an option.

"We're way past the point of fitting anywhere, even if we limited it" to three guests, Peterson said.

They expect 4,500 guests, Costansa said. About a dozen of her family members, including some from Michigan, will come to her graduation.

To afford the nearly $19,000 ceremony, the students cut back on senior gifts and designed their own programs.

The Pinellas County School Board approved the contract in March.

Peterson said the students impressed her with their maturity and decisionmaking.

Costansa said this year's ceremony will be the most beautiful in recent years. The convention center overlooks the Hillsborough River.

"I don't know where we would be if they hadn't been able to take us," she said.

In the fall, Costansa will attend the University of Central Florida, majoring in event management.

Jackie Alexander can be reached at (727) 893-8779 or jdalexander@sptimes.com.