Class of 2000, plus a survivor

Boca Ciega graduate Michele St. Paul talks with boyfriend Shawn Wainwright and assistant principal Christina Ouellet after receiving her diploma Thursday. Seven Pinellas County high schools held graduation ceremonies Thursday.

[Times photo: Lisa DeJong]

A tiny boom box, not the school band, played Pomp and Circumstance. The graduate rolled toward the principal in a wheelchair. The ceremony took place in a St. Petersburg hospital instead of on a football field, and there was only one name to be read.

But Michele St. Paul graduated from Boca Ciega High School Thursday night, one day late, in a special ceremony held just for her.

The 17-year-old from Gulfport was unconscious for two days and in intensive care for several more after a May 20 car wreck injured her brain, broke her pelvis and damaged the nerve to her left eye.

She and boyfriend Shawn Wainwright, 17, of St. Petersburg, were on their way home from the movies. Michele was driving on Tyrone Boulevard when her car and another collided. Police are still investigating.

Michele will spend a few more weeks at Bayfront Medical Center.

"I'm very excited and proud of myself," Michele said quietly.

She said she plans to attend Kean University in New Jersey and study business management.

"Kids just have this resiliency," said Chris Schombs, manager of her rehabilitation program. "They bounce back." -- BRIAN GILMER