Freedom High School Students Close One Chapter, Begin Another

Truth be told, Alexander Anthony, 18, was not feeling moved by commencement before he walked into the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Then it happened.

“I had the stereotypical movie moment where I said, ‘It’s happening,’” he said. “It’s the start of a new stage in life.”

Anthony – bound for Florida State University in the fall to study public relations and creative writing -- and his fellow seniors from in New Tampa earned their diplomas today. Four hundred sixty-one names were printed on the commencement program.

Friends and family clapped their hands and dabbed the corners of their eyes as students reached a major milestone in their lives.

Valedictorian Elisa Rachel Berson, who graduated with a 7.8 GPA, spoke of change. She said her fellow students went “from frightened and awkward freshmen navigating the seemingly vast and looming halls to stable, strong and confident seniors who feel on top of the world.”

Salutatorian Hae-In Kim, who graduated with a 7.4 GPA, used the opportunity to both look back and look ahead.

“As students who are graduating from high school, we should be extremely proud of our achievements,” she said. “However I also hope that this achievement is certainly not the last nor the biggest. I hope that every single one of us leaves Freedom High School and … accomplishes even more in his or her personal endeavors.”

The salutatorian ended with a Dr. Seuss quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

“Congratulations, Class of 2011,” she added. “We did it!”