Osceola High School: Senior Mike Karamanos takes time to stop and smell a rose given to him with his diploma during his commencement ceremony at the Times Arena at Bayfront Center on Thursday.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN GRADUATING CLASS: 296 SIZE OF CLASS WHEN IT STARTED HIGH SCHOOL: 387 CO-VALEDICTORIANS: Amanda Baker and Andrew Siegler
SALUTATORIAN: Tina Engert
SPEAKERS: Douglas E. Smith, principal; Hannah Nguyen, student council president; Rasha Mansour, class president; Engert, Baker and Siegler BEST QUOTE: "Last but certainly not least, our parents deserve some kind of diploma, award, medal or at least a significant amount of cash for putting up with all of us," Baker said.
LENGTH OF CEREMONY: One hour and 35 minutes
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Twenty-seven National Honor Society members; 39 in the top 20 percent of academic achievers in Florida; 69 candidates for Bright Futures scholarships.
SCENES AND SIGHTS: Descending the ramp after receiving his diploma, Brenton Spyker hoisted a yellow sign that drew laughs from his fellow seniors. It said, "Hall pass to leave Osceola."
TEAR JERKER: Nguyen choked up during the part of her speech that quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson on the subject of life and love.
A KODAK MOMENT: The looks exchanged between graduate Jennifer Matheny and her dad, Kevin Matheny, after she got her diploma. Dad was in the front row of the Times Arena at Bayfront Center stands yelling, "That's my baby!"
CLASS SONG: ". . . We pledge our loyalty/Your fame dear Osceola/Our constant aim will be." - from the alma mater
