VENICE — The Florida summer heat did not keep those celebrating their loved ones from cheering Friday evening as Venice High School held its annual graduation ceremony.
The hot, humid air proved to be no match for the many whoops and hollers each parent let out as they spotted their child walking onto the field.
One family of 12 was decked out in merch for lucky senior Sienna Tolley, complete with her face on T-shirts and face cutouts on popsicle sticks.
Christy Tolley, Sienna's mother, said the occasion was particularly special, as Sienna was the second generation of Tolleys to graduate from VHS.
"I'm so excited for this next chapter of her life, and she's such a sweet, caring girl that we would do anything for," Christy Tolley said.
The Tolley family were not the only ones excited to spot their graduate, as dozens of parents, sisters, brothers and cousins poured into the football stadium, holding onto their grad gift of flowers.
Phones were out, smiles were on and fans were being waved, as the 644 soon-to-be graduates and guests were asked to take their seats.
And then they were asked to stand again for the color guard.
A few groans were elicited, but the excitement still held in the air as the real show began.
Class president Madison Eagen took her classmates on a trip to the past with her speech, navigating through the "hardships of maybes" many had not thought they would face at such a young age.
"As ninth graders, we were barricaded by face masks, separated by desk shields and distanced by a computer screen," Eagen said.
The Class of 2024 entered high school in the midst of a raging pandemic and uncertainty, two experiences Eagen urged her fellow classmates to take with them as they stepped off the stage.
"As we leave here today, I want you to take with you a sense of pride, purpose and possibility and use your unique talents to make a positive impact on the world," she said.
Student speaker Jack Bertram spoke on the “infectious disease” of the senior class, procrastination, and the effects of it following the graduates into the next steps of their life.
"We cannot tell ourselves that we will be the people we want to be tomorrow," Bertram said. "We must start today."
The soon-to-be graduate gave his fellow classmates a piece of advice that resonated beyond the fields of seniors and into the thousands of stadium seats filled with onlookers.
"Bring out that unstoppable last minute work ethic that all procrastinators are familiar with and apply it to the parts of your life that do not have a due date," Bertram said. "Do this every day so we all live every day like it's the day before the assignment is due."
A few students had already taken to Bertram's advice.
Ace Kehoe said he’s set for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach after graduating, a career path he said he didn’t know was possible before moving to Venice during COVID in 2020.
Since his sophomore year, Kehoe has worked as an aircraft mechanic at the Venice Municipal Airport while balancing classes in the IB program to pursue a flying license.
“I’ve always wanted to make an impact and now I get to do it because this community has offered me so many opportunities,” Kehoe said.
Lijah Cecil, VHS prom king and graduate, said he’s bringing more than just his high school diploma with him.
“I’m bringing football with me” Cecil said. “But this community helped me achieve that so I’m excited to come back and visit the people that got me to where I am today.”
For graduates, the unknown raises questions, concern and, for some, fear.
Roberto Fierros said that he and his peers are facing a new chapter as they graduate.
"This is all we've known our entire lives," Fierros said.
Caitlin Joyner, VHS Rotary Futures director, said she wants to remind graduates that taking the next step is always one step closer to their dreams.
“There's never a time in life when you're not scared,” Joyner said. “When you are most afraid is when most amazing things are about to happen.”
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