- October 3, 2024
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In his second consecutive year at the helm, Seabreeze High School Principal Tucker Harris donned his robe and master-of-ceremonies voice to officiate the Sandcrabs’ Class of 2024 commencement, held at at the Ocean Center on Friday, May 24.
As the Seabreeze symphonic band played “Pomp and Circumstance”, the seniors filed in to take their seats amid the cheers and clapping from family, friends and alumni who packed the seats in the auditorium. Tucker asked the students to acknowledge them.
“Students, please rise and make some noise for those who have supported you through your educational journey,” he said.
Also in attendance were Carmen Balgobin, the superintendent for Volusia County Schools, with select cabinet members, Volusia County School Board members and Harris’ administrative team.
It is now time to head to deeper waters. As your school dad or king crab, as some of you say, I know each of you will navigate the waters safely, intentionally and with your claws up. Remember, work hard, be nice and don’t forget—once a Sandcrab, always a Sandcrab. Boom." — TUCKER HARRIS, Seabreeze High School Principal
Before the pledge of allegiance was led by Brooke Elston, Harris asked for a moment of silence to remember the life of a Sugar Mill Elementary student who had died that morning.
Seabreeze Teacher of the Year Tanner Norvell introduced the student speakers: Akshay Gupta, valedictorian; Caya Asbille and Wesley Tankersley, both summa cum laude graduates.
In his speech, Gupta stressed the importance of appreciating the little things in life. He highlighted conversations he had while walking to class, the camaraderie shared on bus rides home after sports games and the simple fact that Seabreeze is located two minutes away from the beach.
“We often tend to focus on the significant achievements and milestones that we have accomplished,” he said. “However, today, I urge you to take a look to appreciate the little things that have shaped our experiences.”
A total of 365 students crossed the stage to accept their diplomas and shake hands with Harris. After four years, Harris said his seniors amassed 32,054 hours of community service and were awarded $8,078,017 in scholarship funds. Forty-seven percent of the graduating class had a 3.5 GPA or higher while 199 students received industry scholar designations. This year’s graduation rate approached 97%.
Graduate Da’Veon Brown recently received a competitive cheerleading scholarship for Jones College. He said he cannot believe it has already been four years of high school.
“It just went by so quick,” he said. “It is also mind-blowing that I’m going to college for a sport. I didn’t even know what I was going to do at first. It just changed my path. I’m super excited for the future.”
Harris said it was officially time for the graduates to leave the sandbar of Seabreeze High School.
“It is now time to head to deeper waters,” he said. “As your school dad or king crab, as some of you say, I know each of you will navigate the waters safely, intentionally and with your claws up. Remember, work hard, be nice and don’t forget — once a Sandcrab, always a Sandcrab. Boom.”