Flagler Palm Coast High School seniors celebrate graduation at the Ocean Center

Flagler-Palm Coast High School seniors celebrated their milestone graduation Wednesday night at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.

FPC High Principal Bobby Bossardet addressed the students during the event. Following is his speech in full.

“Greetings to the Class of 2024. Faculty, parents, grandparents, family, friends and distinguished guests.

"Our journey together is marked by individual successes, group accomplishments and countless accolades. But what separates this class from all others is their incredible ability to be memorable. Although today marks a goal you all have been working towards for many years, it is also a day filled with a mix of emotions from excitement to gratitude, and perhaps even a slight feeling of nervousness and doubt.

"I urge you to calm those nerves, silence those doubts, and KNOW that you are all prepared for what lies ahead.

"While the path that brought you all here may be different, and there are varying degrees of academic success amongst you, everyone walking across this stage tonight has a common achievement. You are all graduates of Flagler-Palm Coast High School.

"This year we asked you, 'If not NOW, then when?' Class of 2024, you accepted our challenge! You did not wait to accomplish the goals you set. You took charge of your present and instead of always talking about what you planned on doing in the future, you turned your words into immediate actions.

"Students, your achievements resonate deeply, reflecting the profound impact you've had on our community. Your ability to inspire and surpass challenges has been evident. Let's take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements that this class has accomplished throughout the year.

"The talent from our fine arts department at FPC is incomparable and can be seen throughout our entire community. Our seniors have received recognition for several projects throughout the year, at art shows, contests, local county offices, and even at the national level.

"Our performing arts have delivered amazing performances throughout the community that have left audiences speechless. They have brought the highest level of excellence to every piece performed.

"Our thespians received five excellent and one superior ratings, while the thespians technicians received straight superiors in the One Act Tech at the Florida State Festival.

"The Formality singers were invited to the Disney Candlelight Processional at Epcot and earned excellent and superior ratings at the district and State Music Performance Assessments.

"Sixteen dancers in the FPC Dance Company earned straight superiors, while three dancers are in the final selection process for the opportunity to earn The Dance Talent Scholarship at the Florida School of the Arts.

"The Flagler-Palm Coast High School Band and Starlets received superior ratings for the 20th year in a row. Band and Starlet students earned 40 excellent ratings, 55 superior ratings, and two FPC members earned two of the three Superior with Distinction medals at district and state solo and ensemble. Our FPC Jazz Ensemble 1 earned straight superiors at district. In addition three of our Starlets were invited to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

"Symphonic Band 1 earned the prestigious Otto Kraushaar Award for earning straight superior ratings throughout the entire year.

"Key Club, Interact, Friends with All Abilities, LEO and the National Honor Society continue to create opportunities for members to help others. These students have consistently portrayed what it means to be a Bulldog by volunteering their time and effort to not only impact our school, but our entire community.

"Future Problem Solvers had 50 members qualify for state competition this year including a team of seniors who placed first in global issues.

"The dedication to student leadership is evident in the class of 2024.

"The Air Force JROTC completed 300 community service events and provided over 2,500 service hours. One of our cadets earned a full scholarship with a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. All of our cadets will be traveling to Washington, D.C., over the summer to compete in the National Academic Bowl.

"The Student Government Association completed over 160 projects this year, earning them the Gold Medallion Council for the 41st consecutive year in a row. They absolutely dominated at the state conference by placing in seven of the 10 categories. They once again earned Gold Merit Council status at the state level and Gold Council of Excellence status at the national level. I can confidently say that they have set the standard in student leadership!!

"FPC Bulldogs continue to prove to be some of the very best in high school athletics. Eighteen of our seniors have signed letters of intent to colleges and universities to compete at the next level. Thirty-one of these student athletes qualified for the state championship in their respective sports, and eight of them have had the privilege of standing on a podium this year earning All-State Honors.

"Ladies and gentlemen: The class of 2024 excelled in the classroom:

• 45 seniors earned cum laude honors

• 65 earned magna cum laude honors and

• 64 earned summa cum laude honors.

"That is a total of 174 students in this senior class with a weighted GPA of a 3.7 or higher. Twenty-five of these scholars are closing out their high school careers with above a 5.0 weighted GPA.

"FPC had four students earn National Merit recognition.

"Tonight 43 seniors are graduating from the distinguished International Baccalaureate Program.

"In addition to graduating from high school, 28 of our seniors have earned an associate degree from Daytona State College and 24 have earned dual enrollment credits from the University of Florida.

"It is an absolute honor to announce that four members of this senior class have enlisted in the United States Armed Forces to protect and serve our country. We thank you all for your service.

"With the help of the Education Foundation, the Class of 2024 earned 92 local scholarships at an estimated value of $210,000. When combined with FPC organizations, Bright Futures and individual college awards, our seniors have earned over $1 million in scholarships this year.

"Finally, this senior class gave back, performing over 21,000 hours of community service, which tells us all about their sense of civic responsibility, and working towards the greater good in our community.

"To all of those who are present tonight, and those who are tuning in live, I assure you that the Class of 2024 is well prepared for whatever the future may bring!

"Four years ago I stood on a much smaller stage and challenged many of you to take on high school and always be the best version of yourself, to seek out opportunities, and to try new things. This year I challenged you once again to exemplify what it means to be a Bulldog, all while setting the standard of what excellence is. I am so proud to say you did not disappoint.

"The Class of 2024 will be remembered as the class that brought FPC student life back from the effects of a global pandemic. You demonstrated your willingness to take on difficult tasks, despite the possibility of failure, in the attempt to grow, learn and eventually succeed. You gained confidence by taking on challenges. You not only learned how to carry out events, cheer each other on, and Bleed Green, but you also modeled and taught the future of FPC so they could continue to instill that one-of-kind Bulldog Pride.

"Seniors: Your high school graduation symbolizes the end of this adventure, but more importantly it marks the beginning of your lifelong journey. Your impact at FPC will not be forgotten. But now as I have done in the past, I challenge you to go and continue to be the best version of yourselves. Find your purpose, continue to grow, keep changing the game.

"There is no doubt you will be faced with challenges, you have an incredibly strong foundation. You are Bulldogs!

"To the Class of 2024: Thank you!

"Thank you for setting the standard for what it means to be an FPC Bulldog.

"Your friends, family, teachers and all of Flagler Schools have watched you grow, and we are ready to cheer you on into your next adventure.

"It is with the greatest honor that I congratulate you on your success!

"Continue to show the world what being from FPC is all about, what the standard looks like.

"I would like to leave you with the same advice we share with you each and every morning: And as always Bulldogs, remember to be respectful, responsible, safe and engaged.

"GO DOGS!!!"

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler Palm Coast High School graduation photos