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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN and GEORGE WILKENS The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 10, 2009

PLANT CITY - For graduating seniors of Plant City and Durant high schools, the big day was the same, you might say.

The two classes participated in graduation ceremonies on May 29, four hours apart at the same site, the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.

Members of the two combined classes of 2009, numbering more than 1,000 graduating seniors, attended school during a technological era that included the 2001 debut of the iPod and, five years later, Nintendo's Wii.

At commencement, cell phone cameras were as common as their digital counterparts as these students of the Internet era, and their friends and relatives, captured and transmitted photographic images of the big day.

Sherrie Mueller, guidance resource specialist at Plant City High, said the school's commencement included additions that helped reinforce strong bonds between graduates and their teachers.

"I thought it was one of the best I've ever attended, in that it added a few extras," said Mueller, who has been at the school for eight years.

"We had more teacher participation than ever before; the teachers actually walked in the processional," Mueller said last week. Prior to the ceremony, teachers formed lines and greeted graduates as they filed into the hall.

"There was a lot of congratulating going on at that point," Mueller said. "Then the faculty followed and walked through the middle of the students." Some faculty members wore simple black ceremonial gowns, while others wore the colors of their alma mater.

"I really liked the new additions. It added to the prestigious occasion," Mueller said.

Additionally, valedictorian Victoria Alice Capezza and salutatorian Jessica Renee Glover paid tribute to their favorite Plant City High teachers.

And the winner of the school's Teacher of the Year award, Alan Schism, was honored on stage for that accomplishment. Schism teaches senior English.

"The graduation ceremony was not only prestigious, it was very warm," Mueller said. "It had that warm, fuzzy feeling."

About 630 of the graduates received their diplomas from Durant. More than 200 of those were honor graduates.

"The theme this year was for our students to pursue their dreams," Principal Pam Bowden said. "We had a good school year, overall, and graduation was a lot of fun. The seniors were very successful during the year, and we wish them the best."

Durant students, parents and friends began filling the fairgrounds' parking lots almost as soon as they were emptied by the equally ample crowd from Plant City.

Barbara Franques, Hillsborough County school director in Area 6, was a part of both graduations.

"Isn't this exciting?" Franques said as she prepared for the Durant students to enter the hall. "We have two great schools and two fantastic senior classes graduating in the same building on the same day. The building seems alive with anticipation."

Principal speakers at the Durant graduation were Bowden, class salutatorian Angel Chavez and valedictorian Jeffrey Butler.

As Bowden said, it's now up to the graduating seniors to pursue their dreams.

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Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 627-4769. Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 627-4735.

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