New Smyrna Beach

NSBNews.net video by multimedia editor Sera Frederick / Class Valedictorian Ericka Kirkpatrick addresses her classmates at Saturday's graduation at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. The full text of her address is attached.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Valedictorian Ericka Kirkpatrick reminded her 399 classmates they came into the world two decades ago with the birth of the Internet. With its growth, they too can grow and make a difference in the lives of so many.

NSBNews.net video by multimedia editor Sera Frederick / Salutatorian Drew Walker addresses his classmates during the graduation ceremony Saturday at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. A copy of his speech is attached. 

DAYTONA BEACH -- Nice guys don't always finish last. Sometimes they finish second. Such is the case with Salutatorian Drew Walker who encouraged his classmates to endure as they face the realities of a 21st-century world with an entrenched economy where those planning to attend college will have to deal with higher tuition rates and decreasing financial aid.

DAYTONA BEACH -- New Smyrna Beach High Senior Class President Imran Lufi missed out on Homecoming where he was named king because of appendicitis. There was no way he'd miss the chance Saturday to say a final farewell to his 399 classmates at the 2011 graduation ceremony at the Ocean Center.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Like several thousand locals and visitors alike, Catharine Roberts Hoehn watched the historic liftoff of the space shuttle Endeavor on its final mission into space and NASSA's second-to last-launch of manned flights. At least for the forseeable future.

"All I can think of is who's responsible?" Hoehn said after watching the liftoff from the Flagler Avenue Beach approach. "When I was growing up, it was instilled in us about America vs. the Russians in the Space Race. I feel like all the other countries will get a jump on us now."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- As I drove two of my daughters to New Smyrna Beach High School on Monday, May 9, I saw a sign on the building: "FOR SALE." I thought, "Ha! That's a good one."

It was carefully tied 20 feet above the ground. I laughed when I saw that the 2011 senior class took credit for it. Of course, this is the school prank of 2011 that seniors traditionally leave behind.

Jim Tager, principal of the high school said he doesn't know who did it. He's glad this year's prank was not anything destructive. His biggest worry was how high off the ground it was placed by someone.

It would seem that a cherry picker type of vehicle would have done it because of the slope on the roof below it and the height of the rope tied, but I don't think the school should focus on who did it.

My daughters saw rubber ducks in the school's pond one recent year. As long as no one is hurt and there is no property damage I think this is a fun way to have the school administration, students and teachers to remember each unique group of graduates.