North seniors find graduation emotional
North Fort Myers High School principal Debbie Diggs loves getting in front of a crowd at graduation to brag about her students, seniors who will soon be alumni, and their accomplishments.
The recent graduation at Alico Arena was no exception as once again Diggs told the parents and friends of the graduates that being a Red Knight means academic success.
The numbers of the 396 graduates told the story. They had a weighted grade point average of 3.99, with 188 having a GPA of more than 4.0 and 73 more with a weighted GPA above 5.0.
Another 104 have received their AICE diplomas, or more than a quarter of the class, which puts North among the top 10 high schools in the state. They have also put in more than 17,000 community service hours despite COVID keeping them home for two years.
Most important, they were able to fight through one of the most uncertain periods in the nation’s history with COVID and political unrest.
“These seniors must continue to amaze me and the community with their high academics and their service, which is amazing since half their high school careers were in some kind of COVID lockdown,” Diggs said. “What sets this class above the others is their kindness and positivity. What amazing human beings they are, and they focus on sharing love and kindness.”
The graduates were thrilled this day had arrived. Many said it was nerve wracking because not only were they getting their diplomas, but also speaking.
“I’m really excited and ready to see what life has in store for me. High school had definitely been eye-opening. I got to experience things that I didn’t think I would,” Payton Hanson said. “I think I’m a more developed person now.”
“It’s interesting getting to see all these people we grew up with and reconnect with them,” said Kylee Young. “It’s like we made it and we’re finally here. I’m just happy to be here with these people.”
Valarie Lucas and My Vu gave the student commencement addresses. Lucas asked everyone to live in the moment because you never know if those memories are all you have.
“Though we will live an average of 80.2 years, we will not remember all 29,173 of those days. We’re here to witness one of the most important days of our life,” Lucas said. “So, get a good night’s sleep because that’s when all your memories are moved to long-term storage.”
Vu thanked the teachers for giving students the extra special attention they needed to thrive when they could have gone home to their families.
She then used the “keep, change, flip” method of dividing fractions in approaching life’s problems.
“Keep the memories and experiences, relationships and passions you had, change all the doubts and regrets and bad habits that surface endlessly, and flip, let or even force yourself to get uncomfortable,” Vu said. “Take risks fall forward. Every time you flip, you have something new to keep.”
Diggs closed out by telling a story of how she was the target of a senior prank where thousands of pictures and popsicle sticks and Little Debbie boxes of her face were hung on the walls and the courtyard of the school in appreciation of her. Before sending the graduates on their way to their future.
“In a world bombarded by negativity, it’s important to know your children chose a way to express love and kindness,” Diggs said.
The graduates and parents seemed very happy this chapter has ended and a new one is opening up, and how they have changed over the last four years.
“It feels awesome, though I want to get out of this heat,” said Thomas Green, who considered attending Oasis High School and is now ready to study nuclear engineering. “The pandemic didn’t hurt me so much because they were online and the teachers were helpful. I feel more mature, and I’m glad I came here.”
“He’s taken responsibility for his own education and work and life. He took extra classes to get into the program he wanted and wanted straight As,” said Dina Green, his mom and his stepmom, Micki.
Savannah Taylor celebrated with her older sister, Camryn, who graduated in 2019. She gave her younger sister some words of wisdom.
“I would tell my sister to stay focused and have fun as she goes to college. I’m so proud of her,” Camryn said. “She’s grown up so much, and she had great teachers at North.”
Savannah saw virtual learning as a chance to learn to be more independent.
“I’m very happy to be done. It’s crazy to see the changes through pictures and everything with all the sports,” Savannah said. “It’s weird how we went on spring break my sophomore year and then had to do virtual learning so we had to learn to be more independent.”
Genavieve “Gigi” Malloy is happy to be done with high school.
“I’m glad I’m finally done with high school. I’ve grown up a lot, just going through life,” said Malloy, who finished her high school career with a bang, finishing second in the state in the pole vault. “The pandemic hurt everyone but I thought it was fun not having to go to school.”
Billie Abigail Rodriguez sees how much she’s grown in the four years of high school.
“I liked graduating. Freshman year (was terrible), but senior year was great. I cried a little bit, but I’ve made a lot of character growth,” Rodriguez said. “I’m going to miss my orchestra teacher and the friends and memories I’ve made.”
Donna Malone watched her youngest and only daughter graduate.
“She’s the sixth and final one to graduate. I’m so proud of her,” Malone said. “All five of her brothers made it to graduation.”
Nia Rivadeneira found graduating a little emotional.
“Everything is so surreal. I was sitting on my seat and when they starting speaking, I cried a little bit,” Rivadeneira said. “It’s crazy what you learn every day from the people you’re around.”