Tier 1, Middle Column, Front Page

Editor's Note: Cheyenne Draws finished her freshman year at New Smyrna High School and has three years to go before she graduates. Here's her take on being a freshman.

One year ago I was graduating from middle school and was anticipating my first year of high school and the next step to the rest of my life. Now I can officially say I survived being a “freshie,” and actually enjoyed being a ninth grader. Sure, I went from the top of the food chain in middle school to the bottom in high school, but honestly, the horror stories are way worse than what I actually experienced.

NSBNews.net video by Sera Frederick / Volusia County School Board Chairman Stan Schmidt addressed the New Smyrna Beach Class of 2011 at Saturday's commencement at the Ocean Center. He was interviewed on camera after the graduation on stage by NSBNews.net on a number of issues, including his impressions of the graduation, the school district's finances and dealing with budget shortfalls. 

DAYTONA  BEACH -- Volusia County School Board Chairman Stan Schmidt encouraged the graduating seniors of New Smyrna Beach High School to get involved in their communities and to vote. After the ceremony, he told NSBNews.net he's worried about funding for schools after the next fiscal year because of uncertainty in government spending.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County Council Chairman Frank Bruno has advice for the New Smyrna Beach High School Class of 2011: "Education is the key.

NSBNews.net video by multimedia editor Sera Frederick / Principal James Tager celebrates his first year at helm of 400-member graduating class after four years at middle school as principal. Tager led Saturday's commencement at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach where he sent 400 seniors into the real world as young adults.

DAYTONA BEACH -- James Tager may be a rookie principal at New Smyrna Beach High School, but he already knew many of the 400 graduates from their four years together at the middle school where he was also principal. NSBNews.net spoke with Tager immediately after Saturday's graduation at the Ocean Center attended by more than 4,000 parents, extended family members and friends.

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 photo and videos by Sera Frederick / The 400 graduates of New Smyrna Beach High School celebrate as shown in this photo. NSBNews.net is doing something never done before in media coverage of a high School graduation: Digitally record every graduating senior receiving a diploma after being called to the stage. NSBNews.net is the media leader in Volusia County in utilizing 21st-century technology to bring this coverage home to you.

When you click the headline or "read more," you will be able to view all four video segments.

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 -- 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.