Graduation: It’s not just about the shoes

The Navarre High School Class of 2011 gathered together for the last time on Saturday evening at the Pensacola Civic Center.

  The students took a trip down memory lane, courtesy of fellow classmates who gave speeches of where they had been, and challenged the graduates to aspire to greatness in the future.

Fellow classmate, Ian Lockwood who died early this year of brain cancer, was mentioned several times during the ceremony and his picture was displayed at the front of the stage.  A chair  sat alongside his photo, and on it lay his cap and gown.

A few graduates were spotted wearing yellow shoes to honor Ian.

After welcoming the Santa Rosa County School Board administration and school staff and parents, NHS Principal Brian Noack invoked a moment of silence in Ian’s memory.

“His physical presence is missed here tonight, but his memory and legacy will live on and inspire the Raider Nation Forever,” enthused Noack.

For more on this story, see the June 9 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.