Parents Pen Touching Messages To Pinellas County Graduates

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — With Florida schools canceled for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to the coronavirus, high school seniors are missing out on once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Proms, grad bashes, spring concerts and graduation commencement ceremonies have been postponed or canceled, leaving high school seniors with no opportunity to take part in these traditional milestones.

Florida Patch wants to help families share the achievements of their high school graduates. We're asking families to fill out a short form for their graduates, and Patch will compile the information and share it on an ongoing basis throughout the month of May.

We hope this will give the community a way to share its pride in the Class of 2020.

You can find the form here.

Congratulations to the following students:

Jackson Newton, Largo High School, will attend St. Petersburg College, majoring in business and music production.

Message: "We could not be any more proud of the young man you have become. Your warm heart, off-the-wall sense of humor, love for your family and friends and brilliant mind are just a few of the things we love about you. You are truly capable of doing anything and going anywhere your dreams take you. You have a remarkable soul and the way you positively affect the lives around you is a gift not many have. Now go out and change the world.

We love you always and forever,
Mom, Dad, Peyton and Kylee

Juliette Hobbs, Tarpon Springs High School, will be joining the U.S. Navy.

Message: Congratulations, Sweetheart! I’m very proud of you. Love You, Mama

Kaitlyn Hutson, Tarpon Springs High School, will be pursuing a career in cosmetology at Aveda.

Message: Kaitlyn, congratulations on your graduation and future career in cosmetology. I know you will succeed.

Sarah White, Clearwater High School and St. Petersburg College with an associate's degree, is going to work and continuing to learn ASL in the hopes of working or volunteering with the deaf community.

Message: Our sweet and thoughtful daughter, we love you and are so proud of you. The last four years you have accomplished so much and worked so hard. You have a college degree (AA) a week before your high school diploma. You did all of this while running cross-country and track, working part time and volunteering. Take a breath and take a bow. We are so incredibly proud of the woman you have become. Love, Dad and Mom, and all your siblings and boyfriend Timothy

Molly O'Rourke, Osceola Fundamental High School, headed to St. Pete College to begin her major in biology with plans to transfer to the University of South Florida through the FUSE program.

Message: Molly, we are so proud of your accomplishments. You are hardworking and dedicated to whatever you set your mind to. Your leadership in FFA, as well as all your volunteer work, and passion for animals will lead to all your dreams coming true. This may not be the way we planned to end your senior year, but this will make you that much stronger. We love you so much - Daddy and Mama

Mateo Rivas, Pinellas Park High School. Mateo is on the autism spectrum and is graduating early. He plans to attend Full Sail University to work toward his career in video game coding. He hopes to work at Microsoft's autism video gaming program.

Message: Mateo, your family is so proud of your accomplishments, and all of your successes fighting your way through to graduation!! We love you!

D'Mya Ferguson, Clearwater High School, will the University of Mobile where she will continue her love for basketball and major in biology.

Message: Congratulations. So proud of you. You remain focused and continue to follow your dreams. We love you, Mya.

Jasmine Thongdeng, Northeast High School, will be attending here in her home town for the first couple of years. She plans to study in a biomedical science program for the latter part of her college education.

Message: Jazz, you truly are bright, gifted and determined! I'm a lucky parent to have such a warm-hearted, respectful and responsible kid! I know when you put your mind to something you will make it happen! You always do. You're unstoppable :) xoxoxo Mom

Alyssa Farinella, Palm Harbor University High School, will be attending the University of South Florida, majoring in health science.

Message: Congratulations to our sweet daughter. You have made us so proud and we can’t wait to see what your future holds. We love you so much. Love, Mom, Dad & Cadin

Jeremy Rutter, Largo High School International Baccalaureate program, will attend college to study computer science.

Message: Congratulations and thank you for working so hard over all these years!

Sophie Doddridge, St. Petersburg High School, will attend the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Message: Congratulations on achieving this very important milestone in your early life. Best wishes for your continued success!

Jasmine Williams, Palm Harbor University High School, is attending Savannah College of Art and Design to major in interior design.

Message: Our dear Jasmine, we are so very proud of you and all your hard work striving to be the best you that you can be. We wish you nothing but happiness on your new journey. We love you, Mom and Dad

Rylee Evert, East Lake High School, will attend Florida International University's Biscayne Bay Campus for the marine biology program.

Message: Rylee, your hard work and determination is paying off. You are awesome! We love you! Your family

Katherine Ramsdell, Tarpon Springs High School, is attending the University of Central Florida for a degree in finance.

Message: So proud of you! You never fail to amaze us with your determination and drive.

Isabelle Lunsway, East Lake High School, is attending St. Pete College and pursuing roles in local theater productions.

Message: Congratulations, Isabelle! I am so proud of you. Do everything and regret nothing!! Love Mummy

Elijah Douglas, Largo High School, has joined the Marines and will be going into Intelligence after boot camp.

Message: We could not be more proud of you, Elijah. Aim high and don’t put any limits on yourself. The possibilities are endless. Live life to the fullest. We love you. Mom and Michael.

Hailey Winder, Largo High School, will attend the University of Central Florida to major in business and marketing.

Message: Hailey we watch you work tirelessly days and Nights. The IB Program gave you structure and that came with responsibility. We are so proud to see how you have blossomed into a wonderful young lady with great work ethics. Best wishes in your endeavors. Go make a CHANGE!

Love Always, Mom, Dad and your siblings.

Jenna Martin, Dixie Hollins High School, will be attending Ringling College of Art and Design, majoring in Motion Design, which is a major that compiles all computer animation, from story concept, character concept, story boarding to final design.

Message: Congratulations to my daughter, Jenna Martin. You have worked hard and endured much to get where you are today. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments and can't wait to see what the future holds for you! I love you, Mom

Abbigale Busch, Osceola Fundamental High School and St. Pete College, is attending the University of Florida majoring in bio-chemistry.

Message: Abbie, we are so extremely proud of you and honored to be your parents! Graduating with both your high school diploma and your AA degree is amazing. All your hard work has paid off with your acceptance into the University of Florida. Keep up the good work. We love you! Go Gators!!!! Mom, Dad & Brice

Isaiah Edwards, Clearwater Central Catholic High School, will attend Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he's been awarded a $6,000 per year Promise Scholarship.

Mason Weaver, Largo High School, will attend St. Pete College.

Message: Mason, we know it was a rough year, but we knew in our hearts you could and would do it! We are so proud of you. Love, Mom and Dad.

Jeremy Rutter, Largo High School, plans to attend college to study computer science.

Message: Jeremy, congratulations on graduating high school. We are both very proud of you and your accomplishments. We wish you all the best in your future studies and we know you'll do great! Love Uncle Scott and Aunt Susan

Emily Dorgan, Dunedin High School, is attending the University of South Florida Tampa Campus to double major in pollitical science and international relations. Emily's goal is to work for the United Nations on humanitarian projects.

Message: Congratulations, Emily! Graduating in the top 20 percent of your class, National Honor Society and doing all of this graduating a semester early in December 2019. We're so proud of you and your accomplishments. Mom, Dad & John E.

Lula Lawton, Woodlawn Community Academy, is taking a year off from school then returning and going to college.

Message: Congratulations to my beautiful granddaughter, so very proud of you, honey.

Taylor Bischoff, Dixie Hollins High School, is becoming a certified nursing assistant then heading on to nursing school.

Message: Taylor- we are so proud of everything you have over come and all you will accomplish!! We love you and will be here for you! Love uncle danny (dad) and aunt jackie (mom)

Makayla Sampson, Pinellas Park High School, has been attending St. Pete College since January, pursuing her nursing degree.

Message: So very proud of you, sweet girl! The sky is the limit! Love you mostest!

Love, Momma

Hunter Swetokos, East Lake High School, will attend Ohio Wesleyan to play college football.

Message: We are so proud of you!! Your hard work has paid off - Love Mom, Sammi & Avery

Olivia Linne Wilson, East Lake High School, is attending the Clearwater campus of St. Pete College on a visual arts scholarship.

Message: I have never been more proud. My youngest child has received a full visual arts scholarship from SPC! She has worked very hard these last three years, and I knew in my heart that she would work towards this goal, and achieve it! We love you!!” Love mom and dad

Temmerah McCants, Clearwater High School, is enrolling in college.

Message: I'm so proud of you. Congratulations.