Changes were needed after Hurricane Milton was a traditional venue for school graduation in Pinellas County after the damage to Tropicana Field.
This year’s graduation classes will host ceremonies at Clearwater’s Baycare Sound and Ruth Eckerd Hall, as well as Tampa’s Yuengling Center.
Lakewood was one of four schools holding an opening ceremony at Sound on Wednesday.
Anjie Mullen gets emotional as she watches the alumni’s huge display screen at Clearwater on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Lakewood High School’s opening ceremony at Baycare Sound at Coachman Park, 255 Drew St. Mullen’s grandson, Jason Laurence, was one of the graduate students, and his large family had images of him to all big fans. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
The school flag is waving by the Lakewood Spartan Mascot as teachers and alumni walk towards the BayCare Sound stage at Coachman Park. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Rashani Torress smiles while looking up at the big display screen during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Brian pumps his fist and cheers as he captures the moment while his alumni seniors begin a queue as they walk towards the stage, finding nephew Jordan Piwoni. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Devin Richter bows his head when he takes a little time. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Audience members capture the moment when students accept their diploma. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
The traditional Salta Triand Devin Walls at Lakewood High School speaks to fellow alumni at the opening ceremony at BayCare Sound at Coachman Park. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Daniel Jones on the left captures the moment while waiting to find his daughter. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Amirah Hayes will sport the 2025 tassel before accepting a diploma across the stage. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
Henry Hope proudly wears a custom shirt that says “You did it” to support her daughter, Tamelia Hope. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
The crowd continues to be packed during Lakewood High School graduation ceremony at BayCare Sound in Coachman Park. (Dirk Shadd | Times)
![Anjie Mullen gets emotional as she watches the alumni's huge display screen at Clearwater on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Lakewood High School's opening ceremony at Baycare Sound at Coachman Park, 255 Drew St. Mullen's grandson, Jason Laurence, was one of the graduate students, and his large family had images of him to all big fans.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 448"/%3E "Anjie Mullen gets emotional as she watches the alumni's huge display screen at Clearwater on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Lakewood High School's opening ceremony at Baycare Sound at Coachman Park, 255 Drew St. Mullen's grandson, Jason Laurence, was one of the graduate students, and his large family had images of him to all big fans.")
![The school flag is waving by the Lakewood Spartan Mascot as teachers and alumni walk towards the BayCare Sound stage at Coachman Park.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 423"/%3E "The school flag is waving by the Lakewood Spartan Mascot as teachers and alumni walk towards the BayCare Sound stage at Coachman Park.")
![Rashani Torress smiles while looking up at the big display screen during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 467"/%3E "Rashani Torress smiles while looking up at the big display screen during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony.")
![Brian pumps his fist and cheers as he captures the moment while his alumni seniors begin a queue as they walk towards the stage, finding nephew Jordan Piwoni.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 447"/%3E "Brian pumps his fist and cheers as he captures the moment while his alumni seniors begin a queue as they walk towards the stage, finding nephew Jordan Piwoni.")
![Devin Richter bows his head when he takes a little time.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 440"/%3E "Devin Richter bows his head when he takes a little time.")
![Audience members capture the moment when students accept their diploma.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 434"/%3E "Audience members capture the moment when students accept their diploma.")
![The traditional Salta Triand Devin Walls at Lakewood High School speaks to fellow alumni at the opening ceremony at BayCare Sound at Coachman Park.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 464"/%3E "The traditional Salta Triand Devin Walls at Lakewood High School speaks to fellow alumni at the opening ceremony at BayCare Sound at Coachman Park.")
![Daniel Jones on the left captures the moment while waiting to find his daughter.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 437"/%3E "Daniel Jones on the left captures the moment while waiting to find his daughter.")
![Amirah Hayes will sport the 2025 tassel before accepting a diploma across the stage.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 459"/%3E "Amirah Hayes will sport the 2025 tassel before accepting a diploma across the stage.")
![Henry Hope proudly wears a custom shirt that says](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 428"/%3E "Henry Hope proudly wears a custom shirt that says")
![The crowd continues to be packed during Lakewood High School graduation ceremony at BayCare Sound in Coachman Park.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 411"/%3E "The crowd continues to be packed during Lakewood High School graduation ceremony at BayCare Sound in Coachman Park.")
