INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – They gathered on the stage at the Performing Arts Center one last time as seniors of Indian River Charter High School. They left that stage as young men and women, students of the world, ready to face the next stage of their lives.
“Is anyone else freaking out?” Class Salutatorian Katlyn Kimball asked her 148 fellow classmates, drawing chuckles from the packed auditorium. “We have successfully completed the first step to the rest of our lives,” she said.
Valedictorian Louisa Herrera agreed, noting that for many of them, they have impatiently waited for this day – to graduate from high school.
“We need to live this moment,” she said – take it in and appreciate it. “Because it all starts again in a couple months – with college.”
The Class of 2010 is the 11th to graduate from the Indian River Charter High School – and is not your typical graduating class, school officials said during the commencement ceremony.
This year’s crop of seniors earned nearly 1,550 college credit hours and received more than $1 million in scholarships.
Four students earned their Associate’s Degree from Indian River State College just two weeks before graduating high school. And 46 percent of the seniors have qualified for Florida Bright Futures.
“We must demand more for our students,” Cynthia Trevino-Aversa told the audience, quoting the charter’s Chair of Board Gene Waddell.
They have “met and surpassed our expectations,” she added.
“Congratulations and best of luck to you in the future,” Superintendent Dr. Harry La Cava said, addressing the seniors after they received their diplomas.
To a standing ovation, cheers and whistles, the Class of 2010 tossed their caps into the air and cheered along with their gathered friends and family in celebration of their achievement.
Many seniors plan to take courses at Indian River State College and later transfer to other schools. A few have plans to take missionary trips to Kenya and China before starting school in the fall. And a few more will serve the United States of America in various branches of service including the Air Force and Marines.
Teacher Froilan Colon told the audience that it is often understated the impact the students have on the faculty.
Many come to the school as strangers, he said. “But most leave as friends.”
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Indian River Charter High School Graduation by the numbers:
149 – Graduating Seniors
1,543 – Total College Credits Earned
4 – Students Graduating with an Associate’s Degree
46 percent – Students Qualifying for Bright Futures
$1 million-plus – Total Scholarship Dollars Earned
Indian River Charter High School Fun Facts:
Class Song: No Such Thing by John Mayer
Class Color: Tie Dye
Favorite Hangout: Beach
Favorite Food: Chick-fil-A
Favorite Quote: The Class of 2010 – The best there’s ever been
Class Flower: Sunflower
Indian River Charter High School GraduatesTop 10 percent
Luisa Fernanda Herrera, Valedictorian
Katlyn Ashley Kimball, Salutatorian
Madison Paige Ouellette
Fabiola Loreto Lara
Jacob Christopher Carlson
Michael Thomas Linsky
Nicole Lorraine Malone
Kristin Danielle Parsons
Alexandra Francesca Griffin
Dominique Anita Grady
Shannon Joann Fleener
Stetsyn Tai Horst
Brittany Hailey Ohlrich
Renee Elise Marvin
Emily Catherine Jennings