IN PICTURES: KEY WEST CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATES WITH PRIDE

The Key West High School Class of 2022 endured two years of COVID, and still managed to earn more than $1 million in scholarships and awards.

The setup for Key West High School’s graduation ceremony has been a little different in recent years, due to COVID protocols and the pending replacement of the school’s football stadium, which hosts the commencement ceremony.

On May 27, the Class of 2022 sat in the football bleachers overlooking their families and friends, who were camped in groups on the field with blankets and lawn chairs.

Principal Larry Schmiegel spoke of his pride in the class that endured more than two years of social distancing, canceled events and online learning.

Superintendent Theresa Axford spoke to the graduates before valedictorian Jonibek Muhsinov and salutatorian Siddharth Singh addressed their class with humor, nostalgia and wishes for the future.

Photos by LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly 

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.