PORT CHARLOTTE — Daniel Robinson told his fellow soon-to-be Charlotte High School graduates that their decisions as adults are now their own.
“If you didn’t study, you failed,” Robinson said Thursday during his graduation speech at the Charlotte Sports Park.
The senior class president spoke about their journey as freshmen who still had to wear masks from the pandemic, to later getting their driver’s license and applying for scholarships. They enjoyed Friday night lights and were serious for Monday morning tests.
“We have gone through a global pandemic, multiple hurricanes, numerous historic events and more,” he said. “Instead of looking at these as hinderances, I encourage you to see them as victories, to see them as proof that we the CHS class of 2024 are resilient, powerful and dedicated individuals.”
Robinson, whose going to school to become a physical therapist, ended his speech with a quote from singer, J Cole: “No such thing as a life that’s better than yours.”
CHS principal Angie Taillon furthered Robinson’s remarks by adding how many accomplishments the class achieved in their four years.
She said the class helped earn a record 14 district championships and broke “several school records.”
The class collectively volunteered more than 148,000 hours back to the community.
Student athletes had an overall GPA of 3.45 and the class average GPA is 3.27. They collectively earned 1,591 college credits.
“That’s a total savings to your families of $114,520,” she said.
There were 17 Advanced International Certificate of Education scholars, seven seniors who graduated with an associate of arts degree. And 13 seniors enlisted, including eight in the U.S. Marine Corps, three in the U.S. Army and two in the U.S. Navy.
She said seniors competed in mock trials at the court house. She said the Charlotte High School Silver King Marching Band made school history. For the first time in the 100-year history the band earned a superior rating at the state level and the Otto J. Krushaar Award and the Robotics team won a world competition.
“These are just some of your amazing accomplishments we celebrate with this class,” she said.
The new graduates are going in different directions.
For track and field star Sahia Johnson, 18, she plans to continue running track at a Texas college.
On June 24, Savannah Brezillion, 17, is headed to serve four years in the Navy.
“I want to make it into a career and serve for 20 years,” Brezillion said. “I want to be a lawyer in the Navy.”
Sean Kinley, 18, is considering the same. After his brother graduated in 2021 and enlisted into the Navy, Sean decided it might be right for him to join the military as well. Otherwise he plans to learn a trade.
“I moved here from New Jersey five years ago,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know some great people here. I think I want to go into the military. My brother is stationed in California. He’s here for me tonight.”
Kinley said he met Carter Jackson, 18, and the pair are great friends.
“I think we look alike,” Kinley said.
Jackson, who works at Wawa, said he’d like to go to State College of Florida to study business.
“I want to start my own business,” Jackson said. “Once I do, Sean can come work for me.”
Cameron Briggs, 18, wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an emergency medical technician. He’s going to fire school.
Before the new graduates left the field, Taillon gave them a bit more advice.
“Cherish your relationships,” she said. “Make good choices. Be a good human. Stephen R. Covey said, ‘Effective people are not problem-minded; they’re opportunity-minded. They feed opportunities and starve problems.’”
Taillon invited back the 2024 graduates to the high school in the future to share their stories.
“Once a Tarpon, always a Tarpon,” she said. “Do what is right and treat others the way they wish to be treated.”
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