Hillsborough Responds
Graduation 2021 Special Edition!
May 25, 2021
2021 GRADUATIONS - THEY WILL BE AMAZING, BUT WILL LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT!
Graduations are back at the Florida State Fairgrounds beginning today. We are so happy our seniors will be able to celebrate safely this year and also walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
If you have ever attended a Hillsborough County Public Schools' graduation - you may have a picture in your head of what your day will look like, however, because of COVID-19 things will look a little different. Chairs will be placed 3-to-6 feet apart on the EXPO floor and family and friends will be socially distanced in pods of 4. Additionally, there is no bottom level of the stands as they have been removed to allow our graduates to be seated as far apart as possible.
We took a few pictures below of the EXPO Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds so you will be prepared.
We hope you have a wonderful graduation and an amazing celebration with your family and friends.
Our graduates will sit in chairs which are socially distanced on the floor of the Expo Hall.
The lower level of the grandstands are removed to allow for greater social distancing.
Guests will have assigned seats and will be seated in pods of four. You are asked to remain in your seats at all times during the ceremony.
GRADUATION HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Masks will be required of all graduates, guests and staff, at all times, while inside the EXPO Hall.
- Masks will be available as needed upon arrival.
ARRIVAL AND PARKING
- Parking is $6 cash or credit. Exact change is appreciated.
- Use the 301 Fairgrounds entrance for parking.
- Please enter EXPO Hall at the time noted on your ticket envelope.
- Graduates will enter through the center door of the EXPO Hall, carrying their cap and gown.
- Guests will enter through the red or blue doors based on their color-coded seating assignment.
- No large bags or camera cases are permitted inside EXPO Hall.
STAY HOME AND PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY IF:
- You have a temperature above 100.4.
- You have experienced symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, congestion, muscle or body aches, diarrhea within the past 48 hours.
- You have been in close physical contact for 15 minutes with anyone who has COVID-19.
- You are isolating or quarantining because you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19.
- You are currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test.
Remember... You can view graduation ceremonies LIVE from the Florida State Fairgrounds at www.HillsboroughSchools.org/Graduation
OR... on Spectrum Channel 635 and Frontier Fios Channel 32.
After the ceremony....
RECOGNIZING SOME OF OUR 2021 GRADUATES!
Thank you to all the proud parents, grandparents, and guardians who sent in a 2021 graduate for us to recognize. The support of our families is one of the greatest reasons these young men and women will find success in their futures!
Ethan Scott is a class of 2021 graduate of Spoto High School. He is from a military family and grew up all over the country. He quickly got involved at Spoto when he arrived his sophomore year. He joined football, JROTC, National Honor Society and the Drama Club. Ethan is graduating with a 3.6 GPA and will be attending HCC tech school to learn welding.
Cambree Sargable is graduating 7th in her class from Riverview High School. She is graduating with a GPA over 7.0 weighted and a perfect 4.0 unweighted. She is the captain of the soccer team and president of FCA. She has been awarded the HCC Presidential Scholarship, the Riverview Women's Club Scholarship, the Brandon Regional Hospital Physician's Scholarship, the FASRO Rising Star Scholarship, and the Heart of a Champion Scholarship Award. She plans to pursue a career in Nursing, first at HCC and then USF.
Jordan Mitchell will be graduating from Bloomingdale High School. She is a member of NHS, NEHS, Mu Alpha Theta, BETA, and this year became the captain of the Bloomingdale Crimson Guard team. She will be attending the University of Florida in June. She plans to major in biomedical engineering.
Isabella Sherwood is graduating with Honors from Steinbrenner High with a 5.2 GPA. She belonged to NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society and Student Government. She also played basketball, volleyball, flag football, cheerleading and track and field. Bella was awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships at the 33 universities that accepted her! She has decided on Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned the Searcy Presidential Scholarship. She will major in BioChemistry and Criminal Justice.
Shivani Persad is graduating as the Salutatorian from Durant High. Shivani has already earned her Associates of Arts degree from HCC. She has a 8.62 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society. She will be attending the University of South Florida where she will major in Biomedical Science.
Robert Sollenberger is graduating from Robinson High School in its Dual Enrollment Program. While at Robinson, Robert has also obtained his STEM Program Degree in Fire Science Technology at HCC. He is also part of the Tampa Fire Rescue Cadets Program where he has logged hundreds of hours of volunteer and ride-along time receiving on the job training with Tampa Fire Rescue. Robert will continue his education to pursue Fire, EMT, Paramedic.
Nicholas Schupp is a graduating senior from Spoto High School. His mom is especially proud of him and wants to recognize his hard work while learning remotely. She says, "We love him and are so beyond proud!"
Frederick Cohen III is a graduating senior at Durant High School. He is in the Durant Marching Band and the Durant Varsity Basketball Team. He is also part of the National Honors Society and he will be graduating with a scholarship from the George Edgecomb Bar Association and the Sunshine Opportunity Scholarship. Frederick has achieved so much even after losing both his parents at an early age. He has a 4.7 GPA and has committed to the University of South Florida and the National Guard to further his education and military career.
Willie Cameron Bell is graduating from Tampa Bay Tech High. He has been in ROTC and made Principal's List several times. Willie's mom says he is a great son, well-mannered and very smart. He has managed to complete eLearning as well as hold down a part-time job. Willie will be going to HCC.
Damian Lantigua is graduating from Leto High School after transferring from a private school his junior year. At Leto, Damian excelled and was challenged academically and placed into leadership programs. After graduation Damian will be attending Xavier University to further his education and his baseball career.
Antonio Jamison is graduating from Chamberlain High School. He's an outstanding athlete with a full scholarship to attend Tennessee State University for football. This is a message from his mom: "Antonio was born on Valentine's Day and has a big heart. He's loved by all six of his siblings. We are so proud of him, his journey has been long and hard but he made it look easy. Love you always."
Leah Mixon is graduating from Steinbrenner High with a 7.74 GPA while earning her AA from HCC. Leah is co-host of Math Homework Hotline and a contributing member of Hillsborough County Youth Leadership Council as well as Steinbrenner Senate. She was voted by her peers as Homecoming Queen and "Most Likely to be your Boss"! She will attend Florida State University in the fall.
Sofia Fernandez is graduating from Sickles High School with Honors. Sofia has been in band since middle school, has been Color Guard Captain for two years, an officer in National Honors Society and member of Spanish Honors Society. She's graduating with a 6.2 GPA and has committed to USF, majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Pharmacy.
Asia Rackard is the Valedictorian of East Bay High School's graduating class. She has a weighted GPA of 7.62 and has already earned her AA from HCC. She participated in the cosmetology program at East Bay and has her cosmetology license. She is active in several clubs and also a cheerleader for two years. She will be attending FSU and majoring in marketing.
Kalista Curtis is graduating from Lennard High. She is an outstanding student who has already graduated from HCC with an Associate of Arts degree. She has decided to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as part of its Honor's Program and major in Aerospace Engineering!
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Email: laura.cross@hcps.net
Website: www.HillsboroughSchools.org
Location: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch