WITH PHOTOS: 'We may endure the night, but joy cometh in the morning'

ARCADIA — Time moves fast in life, and milestones like high school graduation seem to fly by, but the DeSoto High School Bulldogs recognize that.

Class of 2024 President Ryland Zepeda spoke about commencement and what the event means.

“Today isn’t just about reminiscing on the past or looking to the future with determination we have always had within us,” Zepeda said. “Cherish these moments, knowing that no matter where life takes us, we will always be connected by the shared experiences of our youth.”

Aniya Clark spoke of how history guides decisions throughout a person’s life — both good and bad.

“Our history is all about our experiences, tears, wins and losses, but as we stand on the threshold of our futures, poised to embark on new journeys and pursue our dreams, let us carry with us the lessons of history as our guide,” Goodman said. “I hope these are stories that we will never forget.”

The class held a moment of silence to remember Abigail Jacinda Guzman. She died March 18.

DHS Principal Joshua White said he will always remember the Class of 2024, and it is with great joy to transition the graduates into the next phases of their lives.

“You all during these four years on campus will forever be in my heart as the class that I will always remember,” White said. “I will remember how you seemingly enjoyed testing the boundaries set before you, love to have a good time with your friends and mostly how regardless of your circumstances and past trials, you have succeeded academically and set yourself up for amazing futures.”

White’s advice was to always be willing to learn no matter where they are in life.

“Live your life with no regrets, acknowledge life is not fair, even if you do everything right,” he said. “Be teachable, don’t think that you know everything, and learn from your experience.”

In the class of 2024, there are several seniors who are advancing into first responder and community service roles.

Zoe Reel, 17, plans to go to school for neurodiagnostics.

“I have always been fascinated by things like doing brain scans,” she said. “I want to help people.”

Clyde Williams, 18, also wants to help people. He wants to become a EMT firefighter and plans to go to Sarasota Technical College.

“I want to be a firefighter in Sarasota, just like my uncle,” he said.

Ji-Onn Redding, 18, is headed to Charlotte Technical College for culinary arts.

“I love cooking,” he said. “I like making chicken fettuccine and shrimp.”

Redding’s sister, Carlisha, 18, plans to get her associate’s degree and then plans to enlist in the Air Force.

“I need to be able to have money for my schooling to get my doctorate in physical therapist,” she said.

Alyssa Sanchez, 17, wants to be a 911 dispatcher.

“I know it’s a challenging career want to help people,” Sanchez said.

Vincent Tew, 18, is going into the Army because many and his family, including his grandfather, were in the military.

“I plan to become an engineer,” he said.

His classmate, Karla Mundo, 17, enlisted in the Marines.

Dorian Ward he plans a career in the airline industry. He would like to be an airplane mechanic or work in the cargo department.

For Jenna Plyes, 17, it was an extra special night. She graduated in December and got to walk with the class on Friday.

Class valedictorian Kayleigh Goodman expressed the hardships DeSoto County High seniors traversed throughout their years, including COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian.

Like many schools around the country, DeSoto County High School was completely virtual during the pandemic, making socialization difficult for others. Beginning a whole new chapter in high school was difficult enough, especially having to traverse it online.

“I remember the dividers out lunch, limited club activities and sports games, Zoom glitches and the infamous two-week quarantine, especially when it was my whole class,” Goodman said. “The mass mandate was lifted, which meant more socialization, giving us the opportunity to find our interests, express ourselves and make new friends.”

Goodman struggled to find her “people,” but the Health Occupation Students of America Club welcomed her with open arms along with the National Honor Society. Things seemed to be finally going right for students until Hurricane Ian hit in 2022.

“Our town experienced extensive damage, including DHS,” she said.

Goodman said students missed a month of school, couldn’t use half of the school, and suffered with no air conditioning in some classrooms. Despite the devastation, the students pulled together with club activities, pep rallies and dances.

“We survived the pandemic, a hurricane, a different structures schedule, peer pressure, anxiety, self doubt, Zoom classes and serious senior-itis,” Goodman said. “No matter what life sends our way, we shouldn’t give up because the storm is only temporary. Or as any pastor would say: ‘Trouble don’t last always, and we may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’”