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Congratulations 

2026 Senior Gradstars!

We are extremely proud of your accomplishments and know that your future is bright.

Graduation schedule graphic

2026 Graduation Guidelines

Graduation Guidelines:

 

May 19 -23, 2026

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations to all of our LCS 2026 Gradstars! We are extremely proud of your accomplishments, and we know that your future is very bright. We are pleased to provide our graduation ceremonies at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. To that end, please review and acknowledge the following guidelines to participate in your graduation ceremony:

  • Graduates should arrive at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center at least one hour before each ceremony begins. Please allow for traffic as the ceremony will start on time.

The parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m. for evening ceremonies (Chiles, Lincoln, James S. Rickards) and 8:30 a.m. for morning (Amos P. Godby High Schooll) and 1:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies (Leon High School).

  • Please leave all personal items with family/non-graduate friends (cell phones, backpacks, bags, etc.).
  • Only CLEAR BAGS will be allowed into the Civic Center. 
  • You will not be allowed to enter the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center with any items but your cap, 2026 tassel, and gown.
  • Participating graduates will be pre-screened/vetted before entering the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Each graduate MUST bring his/her cap, 2026 tassel, and gown in order to be allowed to enter the graduation line-up and ceremony.

  • In order to ensure the safety of each graduate, we suggest that all graduates wear flat shoes that are well-secured to the feet.
  • All LCS Student Code of Conduct expectations and policies will be strictly enforced.
  • Smoking, vaping, and alcoholic beverages will not be allowed during this LCS-sponsored event.
  • Please ensure proper nutrition, hydration, and personal care needs are addressed before attending the ceremony, as no food/drink will be allowed on the arena floor.
  • Not adhering to these expectations and procedures may jeopardize the receipt of a student's high school diploma.
  • Guests of graduates can enter the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center starting one hour before each ceremony begins. Please note that Donald L. Tucker Civic Center staff members will search all bags and provide a metal detector scan before entering the venue, as is done for all events.
  • For guests not able to attend the in-person ceremony, each graduation will be live-streamed on the Leon County Schools Facebook page and then rebroadcast on Comcast Channel 1095TV. Don't have cable? Watch our channel on any device by clicking on this link:  WLCSTV - Leon County Schools 1095-TV 

Graduates and guests are encouraged to share his/her graduation experience via social media. Please use #LCSGrads2026 when tagging pictures. 

For the most up-to-date graduation information, including these guidelines, be sure to visit 2026 LCS Graduation website .

We are looking forward to seeing our Gradstars shine! 

Sincerely,
Rocky Hanna
LCS Superintendent

District Graduation Schedule

School

Location

Date/Time

 Lively Tech College  Chiles H.S. Auditorium  May 13th @ 6:30pm

Adult and Community (GED)

Lively’s Student Union

May 14th@ 6pm

Gretchen Everhart School

Generations Church

May 14th @ 7pm

Leon County Virtual School

Chiles H.S. Auditorium

May 15 @ 6pm

Adult and Community (Transitions)

ACE Building 14

May 18th @ 10am

SAIL High School   Lee Hall Auditorium at FAMU  May 18th @ 6pm
Lawton Chiles High School   Donald L. Tucker Civic Center  May 19th @ 7-9 pm

Lincoln High School

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

May 20th @ 7-9pm

James S. Rickards High School

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

May 21st @ 7-9pm

Ghazvini Learning Center

Turner Auditorium at Tallahassee Community College

May 22nd @ 5pm

Amos P. Godby High School

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

May 23rd @ 10 am- 12 pm

Leon High School

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

May 23rd @ 3 pm - 5 pm


Printable Graduation Flyer

Image with text: Helpful Hints for graduation, featuring a mortarboard and scroll.

Helpful Hints

Make sure to review the following Helpful Hints for the high school graduation ceremonies.  These contain the policies and prohibited items.

Please note FSU’s cash-free policy at the concession stands

Valedictorian Spotlights

Our Valedictorian Spotlight recognizes each school's graduating student who has demonstrated the highest level of excellence in their academic pursuits within their school communities.

A young man in a tuxedo smiles at the camera.
Daniel Duan, Chiles High School, co-Valedictorian 2026, BPI Photography

Daniel Duan ★ Chiles High School

Co-Valedictorian: Five years from now, I plan to have earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and pursue graduate research. I aim to apply my education toward a career in pharmaceutical R&D or as a forensic specialist in accident reconstruction.

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William Wu, Chiles High School, co-Valedictorian 2026, BPI Photography

William Wu ★ Chiles High School

Co-Valedictorian:  In five years, I see myself with a degree in economics, and I envision either pursuing a doctorate or working in economic policy. I also hope that while in college, I can continue to explore my interests to build on that vision and shape it through personal growth. I recognize the importance we as a society place on the economy, and I intend for my efforts to make a difference.

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Armani Jackson, Godby High School, Valedictorian 2026, BPI Photography

Armani Jackson★ Godby High School

Valedictorian: In five years, I see myself finishing my bachelor’s degree in nursing and beginning my career in healthcare. I hope to keep learning from those around me and make a positive impact on someone’s life.

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Nihal Kalathil, Lincoln High School, Valedictorian 2026, BPI Photography

Nihal Kalathjil ★ Lincoln High School

Valedictorian: In five years, I see myself already graduated from Florida State, looking back at everything it took to get there. I’ll be starting medical school, ready for the next step. All the work and challenges will have been worth it as I move closer to a career helping people.

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September Nash, SAIL High School, Valedictorian 2026, Provided by SAIL

September Nash ★ SAIL High School

Valedictorian: In five years, I see myself finishing my master’s in Zoology at the University of Florida while working at a local zoo. Upon completion of my master’s, I will be going into field research with the goal of furthering animal and wilderness conservation.

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Rickards High School Valedictorian honors graduates from 2026: From left: Eric Lin, Connor Eller Vaughn, Jonathan George, Hawa-Larai Harruna, and Dylan Ryan-Zilavy. Photo By Joe Williams

Eric Lin ★ Rickards High School

Valedictorian Honor Graduate: College: Cornell University; Major: Biology. In five years, I see myself in medical school.


Connor Eller Vaughn ★ Rickards High School

Valedictorian Honor Graduate: University: Duke Kunshan University; Major: Quantitative Political Economy. In five years, I see myself continuing my studies and going on to graduate school, or in a job that involves international relations such as one working for the United Nations.


Jonathan George ★ Rickards High School

Valedictorian Honor Graduate: College: Cornell University; Major: Biological Science. In five years, I see myself chasing breakthroughs in research and pursuing medical school, so I can one day bring those discoveries from the lab to the patient.


Hawa-Larai Harruna ★ Rickards High School

Valedictorian Honor Graduate: College: Johns Hopkins University; Major: Computer Science. I’d be a pro animator and programmer, continue running creative projects to support my community, and own a really cute pet cat.


Dylan Ryan-Zilavy ★ Rickards High School

Valedictorian Honor Graduate: College: Undecided between CalTech or Yale; Major: Applied Mathematics. In five years, I see myself working on scientific research of some kind, because being on a research team at the MagLab has been one of my best high school experiences. I also see myself doing more work in the cybersecurity space.


 

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