June 5, 2008 13


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Cedar Key's Jaclyn Stefani. (Rick Burnham)
Cedar Key's Jaclyn Stefani. (Rick Burnham)


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Bronson's Jessica Southard. (Ke
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Bronspn g rad uates. (txellie P-arkin)


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Chiefland's Cassandra Nelson. (Terry
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Ghietland graduates. (Terry witt


wirs celebrate a new beginning
looLater, when the graduates entered the crowd to embrace family members, those Accepted into the College of Agriculture at the University of Florida, Southard will be
?,emotions peaked. the only BHS graduate to attend UF at this time. She is also running for Florida FFA state
 Salutatorian Jaclyn Stefani summed up the presentation nicely, office. "I'll still be a student at UF, but my admission would be postponed for a year," she
k, ',This is our day," she said to her classmates. said of her potential term in office.
lhihAs if to prove her right, a bevy of local officials came to the podium to hand out Southard joined 15 other students Jessica F. Blankenship, Rachel L. Bonesteel,
scholarships. Stefani took her share, as did Bryan Villeda and Addie Long. Ryan Lumley, Thomas Conquest, Benjamin Giddens, Jessica L. Hopp, Christina L. Johnston, Veronica
Richie Rain, Matt Reichert and Thomas Sakelson. S. Monroy, Angela Massa, Jeremy Mays, Brittney McLaughlin, Nadia Rivera, Jessica
o rYLater that evening, Bronson High School celebrated its 2008 graduation. Rodriques, Janarelys Rosario Roldan, Chelsea S. Thomas, and Darren Weems as students
, 'Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life," Principal Valerie Boughanam told receiving scholarships.
'the graduates. "Let your Eagle Pride guide you in life." Williston High School officials, family members students and friends ventured into
 3Boughanam counseled the graduates to remember th6 principles of Eagle Pride: Gainesville Monday evening for their graduation, held at the University of Florida's
Encourage, Achieve, Goal set, Leadership, Excellence, and Preparedness, Respect, Center for Performing Arts.
AIntegrity, Determinaiion, Esteem. "Be proud of yourself," she said. Valedictorian Hannah Swanson challenged her classmates to be "the best you can be,"
 A special moment of applause during the ceremony acknowledged the one BHS while Salutatorian Hillary Coram read a poem to the crowd on leadership. By the time
 ,graduate that was missing. Paul Shaver was unable to attend his graduation because he is Devin Timmons had received his diploma from Principal Mike DeLucas, 117 students
 alreadyy serving in the military, having left shortly after completing his classes, had become the newest graduates of Williston High School. Many of those students were
 Fi'.Ini her speech, Valedictorian Jessica Lauren Southard spoke of her friendship with off to a blazing start on life already a total of 261 college credits had already been
 Salutatorian Angela Massa. "She's been by my side every step of the way," she said. awarded to Williston graduates.


'y Journal