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Interlachen Junior-Senior High School graduates stand during the beginning of the school’s commencement ceremony Tuesday evening. -
Two graduates make their way to their seats during the service. -
Former Interlachen High Principal Bryan Helms addresses graduating seniors during the ceremony. -
Top Scholar Peyton Alexander, left, addresses the class of 2023 during Interlachen’s commencement ceremony Tuesday evening while Class President Aryaunnah Irizarry listens. -
Graduates wave to their loved ones during the ceremony. -
Interlachen Junior-Senior High School graduates line up to receive their diplomas Tuesday evening. -
Rick Surrency, superintendent of schools, speaks to graduates. -
Positively Putnam FL
The Interlachen Junior-Senior High School class of 2023 participated in their commencement ceremony Tuesday evening, barely avoiding a rain-induced postponement.
Despite the ceremony beginning under a slight mist, graduates and Putnam County School District officials expressed joy and gratitude as yet another class of graduates began their journey into adult life.
Former Principal Bryan Helms, who left the district earlier this month for a leadership position in the county government, said his official goodbye to students, faculty and staff.
“I’m proud of the time I was able to spend with each of you,” Helms said. “It has been my honor to be your principal.”
Helms encouraged the 174 departing seniors to see graduation as a beginning rather than an ending and to not be afraid to take chances.
Failure is inevitable, he said, but people’s reaction to setbacks is what matters in the long run. The class of 2023 worked hard and persevered in high school for four years, some of which were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no doubt the same determination the graduates showed during school will serve them well in the future, Helms said.
“It’s OK to stumble,” he said. “It’s OK to fail. It’s OK to make mistakes. The key is to learn from them. … I urge you to embrace your failures, learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward.”
Class President Aryaunnah Irizarry acknowledged Tuesday was a night of joy but admitted to experiencing her share of struggles before seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Irizarry talked of the high demands placed on honor students and how the pressure led to her suffering from mental illness. She thanked her family, some of whom work at Interlachen High, and her friends for helping her gain stable footing to overcome the darkness.
She told her classmates to lean on their loved ones and to help overcome whatever challenges might arise in the future.
“I was never truly myself until my junior year,” Irizarry said. “Now, I realize I’m not a failure. I’m not unsuccessful. … I stand here and see a bunch of successful, hard-working students. You are amazing.”
Peyton Alexander, the senior class’ top scholar, said she was proud to be an Interlachen High alumna.
She advised her classmates to use their positivity to accomplish great things after high school.
“Tonight, we have completed a crucial milestone in our lives,” Alexander said. “We are the future. We can change the world through kindness.”