SCF Collegiate Schools Held Their Class of 2026 Senior Graduation

State College of Florida Collegiate Schools (SCFCSs) presented high school diplomas, awards and scholarships to the Class of 2026 at graduation ceremonies on May 7 and 8 at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) Venice and Bradenton campuses. Many of the graduates also earned Associate in Arts (AA) degrees from SCF.

The events featured the presentation of awards and the conferment of 131 diplomas. Karen Peck, Ed.D., head of school, SCFCS Venice, and Karen Lewellen, head of school, SCFCS Bradenton, addressed and presented the graduates. Nearly all of SCFCS Bradenton and Venice graduates also earned AA degrees from SCF concurrently, with many attending the morning grad walk ceremony at SCF Venice and the evening graduation ceremonies at SCF Bradenton.

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SCFCS Venice included commencement address speaker Zachary DeBacco, lecturer, history, SCF, and graduate speakers Sophia Sufferling, Matthew Boock and Alexis Karajman. Award and scholarship winners were:

• James Mohan, IV, Graduate Achievement Award
• Ava Wallingsford, Graduate Achievement Award
• Mary O’Brian, Graduate Appreciation Award
• Lorenzo Ferraro, Graduate Appreciation Award, a $36,000 scholarship from the United States Air Force (USAF) and attending the University of South Florida
• Mia Benarrivato, Outstanding Graduate Award
• Aiden Abarintos, a $36,000 scholarship from the USAF and attending the University of Florida

SCFCS Bradenton included guest speaker Tommy Gregory, J.D., president, SCF, and graduate speakers Kezia Alvin and Presley Alan Reich. Award winners were:

• Nyah Schmanske, Graduate Appreciation Award
• Gabrielle Watson, Graduate Academic Achievement Award
• Mason Peters, Outstanding Graduate Award

The Class of 2026 performed more than 10,5000 community service hours. Forty graduates were National Honor Society members, recognized for academic excellence, community service and leadership. Many of the graduates earned scholarships from Florida Bright Futures, Take Stock in Children and other programs. Most of the graduates will continue their education at SCF, technical college, Florida Gulf Coast University, New College of Florida, the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee and other four-year institutions in Florida and throughout the United States.