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BRADENTON, Fla. (May 20, 2026) — ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Collegiate Schools (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCSs) presented high school diplomas, awards and scholarships to the Class of 2026 at graduation ceremonies on May 7 and 8 at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Manatee-Sarasota’s (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) Venice and Bradenton campuses. Many of the graduates also earned Associate in Arts (AA) degrees from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

The events featured the presentation of awards and the conferment of 131 diplomas. Karen Peck, Ed.D., head of school, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCS Venice, and Karen Lewellen, head of school, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCS Bradenton, addressed and presented the graduates. Nearly all of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCS Bradenton and Venice graduates also earned AA degrees from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø concurrently, with many attending the morning grad walk ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Venice and the evening graduation ceremonies at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bradenton.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCS Venice included commencement address speaker Zachary DeBacco, lecturer, history, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, and graduate speakers Sophia Sufferling, Matthew Boock and Alexis Karajman. Award and scholarship winners were:

• James Mohan, IV, Graduate Achievement Award
• Ava Wallingsford, Graduate Achievement Award
• Mary O’Brian, Graduate Appreciation Award
• Lorenzo Ferraro, Graduate Appreciation Award, a $36,000 scholarship from the United States Air Force (USAF) and attending the University of South Florida
• Mia Benarrivato, Outstanding Graduate Award
• Aiden Abarintos, a $36,000 scholarship from the USAF and attending the University of Florida

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCS Bradenton included guest speaker Tommy Gregory, J.D., president, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, and graduate speakers Kezia Alvin and Presley Alan Reich. Award winners were:

• Nyah Schmanske, Graduate Appreciation Award
• Gabrielle Watson, Graduate Academic Achievement Award
• Mason Peters, Outstanding Graduate Award

The Class of 2026 performed more than 10,5000 community service hours. Forty graduates were National Honor Society members, recognized for academic excellence, community service and leadership. Many of the graduates earned scholarships from Florida Bright Futures, Take Stock in Children and other programs. Most of the graduates will continue their education at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, technical college, Florida Gulf Coast University, New College of Florida, the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee and other four-year institutions in Florida and throughout the United States.  

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Collegiate School Venice Class of 2026 seniors participate in their graduation ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Venice.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Collegiate School Venice Class of 2026 seniors attend their graduation ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Venice.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Collegiate School Bradenton Class of 2026 seniors participate in their graduation ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bradenton.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Collegiate School Bradenton Class of 2026 seniors attend their graduation ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bradenton.