Coral Shores seniors celebrate in style

Seniors Lina Coole and Caroline Althouse ride in style in an old Mustang.

In their caps and gowns, the Coral Shores Class of 2020 strolled down Islamorada’s Old Highway in vehicles for a graduation celebration unlike any other on May 27. Beginning at Treasure Village Montessori, the parade, led by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish & Wildlife and Islamorada Fire Rescue, went three miles north to the high school where students received a bucket of gifts for their achievement. Family and friends stood along the road cheering on their loved ones as they drove by with big smiles.

A large American flag hung by a Florida Keys Electric Cooperative truck and Islamorada fire truck waves gently in the wind as graduates drive up to the high school to retrieve a bucket of gifts.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Capt. Corey Bryan and Lt. Chuck Kellenberger leads the procession of graduates up Old Highway en route to Coral Shores High School.
Senior Julien Baidet celebrates through the sunroof as the parade proceeds up Old Highway.
Coral Shores graduate Robbie Valenzuela brings his two furry friends along for the ride.
Coral Shores valedictorian, Lauren Hack, rides up to the high school.
Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.