For the class of 2016, the four-year journey through Dreyfoos came to an end on Friday, May 20 as they crossed the stage to receive their high school diplomas. Family members and friends of graduates waited outside the South Florida Fairgrounds in the sweltering heat until doors opened at noon, ready to begin graduation. The ceremony featured performances by the vocal, theatre, and music departments. Class salutatorian and band senior Charles Comiter and class valedictorian and visual senior Catherine Chen gave speeches focusing on the future of students.

  “I wrote together something kinda bad and boring for admin and then just improvised based on those same ideas at the actual ceremony,” Comiter said. “Meditation was a key and I also broke some major rules regarding administration and cell phones; I wouldn’t have done that had I not been seeing them for the last time ever on that stage.”

  Comiter’s speech made members of the audience laugh with anecdotes about his time at Dreyfoos and his success throughout high school.

  “I wish I did more music; and I’m definitely proud of making it through alive. I thought I’d spontaneously die so many times, no joke,” Comiter said.

  The speeches given at the ceremony by Superintendent Dr. Robert Avossa, principal Dr. Susan Atherley, and Chen also focused on the future of the class of 2016 and  what an impact they could make in the next chapter of their lives. Comiter also had advice for his fellow graduates.

  “Don’t freak out; it neither hurts nor helps. Learn your limits regarding work that you can take on and don’t forget that high school is supposed to be at least kinda fun,” Comiter said.

  The ceremony left lasting impressions on all its attendants, whether it was the performances or the speeches.

  “I was impressed with the ceremony in the sense that we had so many performances and it was so interesting since we had the orchestra playing,” strings sophomore Elisabeth Schreiber said.