News Cast 5/27
News Cast for May 27th:
$875,000 in scholarships
Okeechobee High school seniors celebrate graduation on Saturday morning.
It has been a tough four years with the COVID 19 pandemic disruptions.
Principal Lauren Meyers said the class excelled academically and many have already gotten some college education done.
“We have more graduates with AA degree than any other class in history. 31 students already have IRSC associates degree. Every single take stock scholarship recipient will graduate with the scholarship still intact.”
129 students received scholarships this year. Close to $500,000 was collected in Okeechobee alone.
Meyer notes they’ve gotten a tremendous response from students entering the IRSC Promise Program for two years free tuition.
Graduation is held at 9 am tomorrow at the Ag Civic Center.
Each graduate received 10 tickets. Doors open at 7:30 am.
The event will be live streamed on the district you tube channel
The class size was 417 but the number receiving diplomas will be lower.
Today is a field day at Brahman stadium with music, food, games and activities.
Each graduate receives some kind of prize at today’s event which takes the place of Grad Night.
Traffic will pick up around Okeechobee for the Memorial Day weekend.
FHP will be out in force trying to stop aggressive driving, reckless driving, and drunk driving.
Sheriff Deputies and Okeechobee City Police also will have more patrols.
Lt. Indiana Miranda wants drivers to pay attention and buckle up.
“Keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road and your minds on driving solely. Always wear your seat belts.”
Lt. Miranda said they want to patrol rural counties more and are trying to hire more troopers.
“If you are from Okeechobee you can go back home. It all depends on manpower in the state and what is necessary.”
A moment of silence held by the Okeechobee County commission to remember the lives lost at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Commissioner David Hazellief suggested the idea.
Okeechobee schools said they always think about security and procedures.
Assistant Superintendent Dylan Tedders said all schools have fencing, controlled access, school resource officers and guardians who carry guns on campus.
“Our hearts go out to Texas. We hate it. When you see it you say oh man, here we go.”
No Memorial Day observance planned in Veterans Memorial Park Monday.
Instead, veterans and volunteers will place flags on the graves of local cemeteries Saturday morning beginning at 8:30 am.
They are looking for volunteers to help at Evergreen and other cemeteries, Fort Drum, and Basinger.
The Glades County observance is planned at Ortona Cemetery for Monday at 11 am and is sponsored by the Buckhead Ridge VFW.