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Highlands Today

Avon Park High School Class Of 2008 Graduates

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By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: May 31, 2008

VIEW AND PURCHASE GRADUATION PHOTOS

AVON PARK — Looking confident and excited, the Avon Park High School Class of 2008, 199 strong, proudly accepted their diplomas at Friday night's graduation ceremony.

Parents, relatives, teachers and administrators, applauded the accomplishment of the seniors at the commencement exercises at the South Florida Community College Auditorium.

Principal Stu Guthrie said "I would like to thank the Class of 2008 for their hard work and dedication that they have shown over the past 13 years. They've faced adversity, trials and tribulations on their way to the top and their graduation here tonight — so we are extremely proud."

Salutatorian Casey Lynn McKibben used his absence, due to participation in a national ATV competition, to his advantage with a cleverly produced video.

His video presentation started like a move with a "Rated PG" slide and then a disclaimer such as "the following film has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit this screen and edited to run in the time allotted."

The video showed him riding his ATV on a dirt track and then driving it into a trailer.

"As a class we have learned what it is like to be a family," he said. "Over these four years at Avon Park High we have made lifelong friendships and bonds that can't be broken no matter where our dreams may take us.

"With hard work, dedication and sacrifice there's nothing too big or too small that we can't achieve."

Valedictorian Michelle Dasallas Caibio said, quoting Arthur Ashe, "start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

The world's discoveries and inventions came through a series of efforts, she said. "You may not be able to do it all, but at least try. The best years are still to come."

Caibio was named the Senior Honor Student. The award, which is voted on by the teachers, goes to the student who displayed the most scholarship, leadership, loyalty and sportsmanship.

The School Board Citizenship Award, for displaying courage, honesty and being cooperative, went to Rachel Anne Sensenig and Ethan Robert Andrews.

The Bailey Award, for the most considerate of others, went to Aja Soroya Cromedy and Dimitrios Vassilakopoulos.

Alan Jay Wildstein and Randy Leonard of the Alan Jay Automotive Network were present for the drawing for the winner of a car through the Wheels for A's program.

Upon hearing her name called as the winner, an excited Quacey Michelle Fletcher approached the podium and shouted "oooow!" into the microphone.

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