April 29 marked a day for celebration as Leadership Monroe County filled Marathon’s Oceanfront Park to commemorate the graduation of Class XXX – “Leaders Gone Wild.”
In a successful pivot from its traditional graduation format, the program enlisted the help of dozens of local nonprofits, government agencies, bands and vendors to turn the celebration of the program’s 30th class into a family-friendly festival. A short-and-sweet graduation ceremony capped the evening to honor Class XXX’s achievements over the past seven months – including an ambitious class project that saw a delegation travel to Washington, D.C. on a grassroots advocacy mission that drew high praise from local officials, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, FEMA and military officials in the Pentagon.
Established in 1992, Leadership Monroe County is an educational nonprofit community leadership organization developed to address the rapidly changing needs and concerns of the county, develop a group of well-educated leaders, help guide the community in a positive direction and foster countywide effective and nonpartisan alliances. Through a series of single or multi-day sessions over seven months, participants examine the fundamental public and private segments throughout the county. More information is at leadershipmonroecounty.org.
Mary Beth Harris, left, MCSO Col. Lou Caputo, Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Matt Pitcher, Joseph Koler and Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler catch some shade at the Weekly’s tent. JASON KOLER/Keys Weekly 
Marathon Mayor Luis Gonzalez grabs some libations while supporting the Keys’ only locally-owned news company. JASON KOLER/Keys Weekly 
Moose Vandervoort of the 79th Street Band rocks the stage before graduation. JASON KOLER/Keys Weekly 
LMC Class XXIX came out in full ‘force’ to show their support. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
