DIXIE HOLLINS HIGH
NUMBER OF GRADUATES: 351
VALEDICTORIAN: Daniel LaVine
SALUTATORIAN: Nancy Nguyen
SPEAKERS: Principal Daniel J. Evans, LaVine, Nguyen, Student Council president Natalia Pastwa, senior class president Abigail Mattern.
THINK ABOUT IT: "Math is important, because life is one big word problem," Evans said.
PICTURE THIS: "I know we're about to graduate, but first let me take a selfie," Mattern said. She then took out her phone to take a selfie from the stage with her entire class.
SHINING MOMENT: In his speech, Evans mentioned that Dixie Hollins graduates "a lot of comeback kids," which produced loud cheering from the students.
EXTRA EFFORT: Twenty-two graduates were ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students. Many arrived at Dixie Hollins knowing little to no English.
LENGTH OF CEREMONY: 85 minutes.
Nandi Musengwa, St. Petersburg High, tb-two* staff