Deaf High School graduates about 40 students at Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

Sheldon Gardner, St. Augustine Record
·2 min read
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Graduates of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind's Deaf High School celebrate during the commencement ceremony on Friday.
Graduates of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind's Deaf High School celebrate during the commencement ceremony on Friday.

Hundreds of people gathered Friday morning to watch the Deaf High School Class of 2022 graduate from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine.

Throughout the event, which began about 11 a.m., emotions were on display. Visitors and graduates hugged, kissed and took photos. During the ceremony, people cheered and waved their hands in the air, using sign language for applause. And the ceremony ended with confetti and the traditional cap toss. About 40 students graduated.

More graduation coverage: Graduates of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind celebrate achievements

Event planned: St. Augustine Memorial Day services return to city's National Cemetery

Ambria Grady
Ambria Grady
Jamie Marden Antal
Jamie Marden Antal
Luca-Bella Bonanno-White
Luca-Bella Bonanno-White

FSDB Deaf High School graduates

Valedictorian: Ambria Grady, Florahome

Co-Salutatorians: Jamie Marden Antal, St. Augustine and Luca-Bella Bonanno-White, Spring Hill

Via Pascale Barthelemy, Ft. Pierce

Javon Jayme Bergman, DeLand

Mika Joelle Bremke, Boca Raton

Olivia Nicole Brown, Miami

Deaf High School Valedictorian Ambria Grady speaks during the commencement ceremony Friday at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
Deaf High School Valedictorian Ambria Grady speaks during the commencement ceremony Friday at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

Koby Axel Burcham, Palm Coast

Justin Anthony Cabrera, Kendall

Cassidy Lian Dainty, New Port Richey

Dylan James Davis, Boynton Beach

Javin Grant Smereczynsky's uncle Blake Smereczynsky and grandmother Rita Smereczynsky await his graduation from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind's Deaf High School on Friday. Blake Smereczynsky said the sign, which includes a halo, represented support for Javin not only from those who were able to physically attend, but also from family members who have died, including Javin's father, Grant.

Cayto Dontreal Dulcio, Miami Gardens

Jacob Alexander Ellis, Satsuma

Elsie Violet Essex, St. Augustine

Jose Galvan-Aguirre, Immokalee

Jeremy Garay Felix, Jacksonville

Marcus Noah Guillou, Miami

Armani Tawayne Haughton, Coral Springs

Alex Abenchuchan, founder of The Daily Moth, a news source for deaf people, signs during the commencement ceremony for deaf graduates of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind on Friday.
Alex Abenchuchan, founder of The Daily Moth, a news source for deaf people, signs during the commencement ceremony for deaf graduates of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind on Friday.

Logan Christopher Helmer, Jacksonville

Ja'lyn Winifred Johnson, Jacksonville

Anna Rose Lobascio, Palm Coast

Luis Miguel Lopez Martinez, Immokalee

Darith Josue Lopez Vallejos, West Palm Beach

Tracie Snow, president of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, smiles as confetti falls at the end of the commencement ceremony for deaf graduates on Friday.
Tracie Snow, president of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, smiles as confetti falls at the end of the commencement ceremony for deaf graduates on Friday.

Chance Justin Maguire, Citrus Springs

Jordan D'Shawn McLarty Fletcher, Palm Coast

Luis Manuel Merced, Jr., Kissimmee

Nikayla Sulay Merced, Kissimmee

Soranlli Prisila Morales-Salazar, Chiefland

Kiarimar Joan Muniz Rivera, Palm Coast

Willie Gene Noble, Jr., Jacksonville

Andre Van-Roy Pellicer, St. Augustine

Daniel Alexey Pletenets, Jacksonville

Signs recognizing Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind graduates are posted on the campus on Friday.
Signs recognizing Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind graduates are posted on the campus on Friday.

Amanda Nicole Reece, DeLand

Javin Grant Smereczynsky, St. Petersburg

Skylar Hope Thomas, Jacksonville

Robert Valle Gomez, Jr., Pompano Beach

Autumn Yazhu Walker, Ponte Vedra

Jordan Antonio Williams, Jacksonville

Zaniesha Karren Williams, Ft. Lauderdale

Aiyana Sha'Ronta Wright, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: About 40 students graduate from Deaf High School in St. Augustine