Collier grads and parents express joy and pride at commencements

Though life may not have always been easy for Guilene Myrtil, a Haitian immigrant and single mother of five, she beamed with joy as she watched her son Jacine Olibrice graduate cum laude from Barron Collier High School on Friday.

“I’m happy. I’m so, so happy,” she said as she cradled her 2-week-old grandson.

Olibrice, 18, is off to the Air Force Academy, where he received a full scholarship to play Division I football. Despite juggling his tough academic schedule with football practice the past four years, Olibrice said the hardest part of high school was “just waking up.”

Olibrice's mother and hundreds of other proud family members and friends gathered in Germain Arena to celebrate Barron’s graduating class of almost 400 students.

Palmetto Ridge and Golden Gate also held graduation ceremonies at the arena later in the day Friday.

Gulf Coast and Immokalee seniors celebrated at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena.

Lely, Naples and Everglades City School students graduated at their schools' campuses, and Lorenzo Walker's ceremony was at Gulf Coast High School.

Altogether, more than 2,700 students graduated from Collier County public schools Friday.

“It’s hard to believe this day is already here. It’s been an incredible year that’s gone by too fast,” said Barron Collier Principal Jose Hernandez. “This truly is a high-performing, extremely friendly and generous class.”

Barron valedictorian Dallas Nash appeared to fit that description as he spoke highly of his classmates and didn’t bring up his 6.11 weighted GPA when speaking to the Daily News.

“There’s so many smart people in my class, so I’m really happy I was able to become valedictorian and represent my school,” he said. “I’m nervous to graduate, but I’m ready and excited to just take my diploma and move on with my life.”

Nash will attend the Florida Institute of Technology on a full scholarship and plans to study biomedical engineering. He said he felt sad to say goodbye to his classmates, whom he described as “energetic, intelligent and definitely humorous.”

“I’m going to hold them close to me for the rest of my life. I’m very proud of the Class of 2017,” he said.

Cameras flashed around the arena as Nash took to the podium to deliver his speech. He encouraged his classmates to take a break from worrying about the big question: “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?”

“Although this question may seem intimidating or scary, right now we are surrounded by our peers, educators and community members of Naples telling us not to be frightened and to dive right in so we have a chance to experience life for ourselves,” he said.

Other speakers also addressed fear of the unknown in their speeches.

“While we might not look forward to failure in life, it is inevitable,” said Barron’s salutatorian, Emily Browne. “Now is the time to be bold and courageous.”

Collier School Board member Stephanie Lucarelli urged Barron’s graduates to think about the unknown as a grand adventure. And adventures are about the journey, not the destination, she reminded them.

“Be brave. Be aware. And look,” she said. “Look up to all the people who have been there for you all these years. If you are aware, if you look, you will find your purpose.”