Countryside High School: Candace Ivey Bailey, right, applauds with her classmates after the valedictorian's speech during their graduation Thursday at the Times Arena at Bayfront Center.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN GRADUATING CLASS: 476 SIZE OF CLASS WHEN IT STARTED HIGH SCHOOL: 512 VALEDICTORIAN: Jessica Lynne Byrn SALUTATORIAN: Cara Sullivan
BEHIND THE SCENES: Graduate Kyle Willett's dismay when he was told he would not be allowed to graduate because he wasn't wearing a tie and his relief when a Bayfront usher loaned him his; a proud dad holding a bouquet of roses as he waited to catch a glimpse of his daughter; Bayside High principal and former Countryside High assistant principal Phil Wirth snapping a photo as his graduating son Matthew entered the arena
LAST-MINUTE GLITCH: The bus transporting the band broke down, delaying the ceremony 30 minutes.
SPECIAL GUEST: Former Countryside High principal Julie Janssen, who was transferred in January to St. Petersburg High
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 67 summa cum laude graduates; 27 magna cum laude graduates
SPEAKERS: Byrn, principal Gerald Schlereth and senior class president Justin J. Saturley FAMOUS PEOPLE QUOTED: T.S. Eliot, Norman Vincent Peale, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Edison
A TOUCHING MOMENT: Byrn paying homage to her mother, who has a severe hearing disability
COUNTRYSIDE CHORUS' SERENADE TO THE GRADUATES: May You Be Led By the Highest Star
CLASS GIFT: A speaker system for the football field
WHERE WAS THE BEST PARTY SUPPOSED TO BE: At the home of a graduate who preferred to remain anonymous
