District, loved ones celebrate Putnam Virtual graduates

Deviating from how they normally attended school, Putnam Virtual School students got together Thursday for a special occasion: their high school graduation.

Proud family members and friends packed the Putnam County School District headquarters, 200 Reid St. in Palatka, to see the nine graduates celebrate the end of their K-12 journey. 

Principal Mary Wood said the graduates were stars who chose to finish high school virtually for different reasons. One of those stars, Zakearah Sanders, graduated high school as a junior. Another student, Wade Seebacher, earned two perfect scores on state tests. 

“It is very hard to basically, you know, teach yourself, and so their achievement is more remarkable because of the venue, the path they took,” Wood said. 

Superintendent Rick Surrency said it is incredible the district can offer this option to students and that students can do so well with this less conventional method of attending high school. 

Putnam Virtual Facilitator Bonnie Putman took her time to say something about each graduate. She said two words came to mind for every student: determination and perseverance. 

“Most of us were together and went through some tough times over the past four years, but we made it through, possibly a bit bruised,” Putman said. “But we are all healing every day.” 

Family and friends stayed after the graduation to take photos with their loved ones. Graduates received flower bouquets, gifts and balloons. SaRiyah Lee’s family made T-shirts decorated with her face and text that read, “SaRiyah’s graduation squad 2024.”

Wood, Putman and other Putnam Virtual administrators also stayed behind to grab photos with their former students. 

“Graduates, although this may seem like the end, it is really a beginning,” Putman said. “It’s the start of another chapter in your life, and what pathway you choose will determine your future. I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing about all of your accomplishments.”