Most high school graduates don’t wear life jackets with their cap and gown. But then, most high school graduates don’t ride jet skis to collect their diplomas.
Somerset Island Prep, a charter high school in Key West, held its third jet-ski graduation ceremony on May 20. The novel idea started as a COVID precaution for social distancing and has since become a cherished tradition. This year’s ceremony started on land near the Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort, where proud families gathered for the valedictorian speech and to watch the floating festivities.
Graduates boarded jet skis and throttled across Key West Harbor to collect their diploma from Principal Tom Rompella, who conveyed them from aboard his own jet ski with a mechanical grabbing device.
Somerset Island Prep is a free, public charter high school with about 80 students, increasing to 100 next year, located on Flagler Avenue.
