BAKER — Baker School, celebrating 100 years as an institution, graduated just as many students on Thursday.
Many of them left the only school they’ve ever known.
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“I’d have to say, the pride it takes to be able to go to Baker (School) for 13 consecutive years, ever since kindergarten…,” Daemen Talbert said, referring to how going to the school has affected him. “Since it’s a K through 12 school, we don’t have that many nowadays.”
Talbert has known at least 20 of his classmates since kindergarten, and this would be the last day they would all have together as students. But, he said, social media will help them stay connected with each other.
Summa cum laude graduate Sarah Nunley only attended Baker School for her four years of high school, but said that coming to a school like Baker made her feel right at home.
“It was really nice to see how close everybody was because they had been together since kindergarten, but Baker is such a small school and they’re such a family that you just fit in no matter where you are. You just find your spot and you’re just good to go.”
Nunley, who will attend the University of North Florida, said she will miss her competitive weightlifting team most of all. “That is my family,” she stated.
Other Baker graduates are apprehensive about entering the real world.
“It’s terrifying,” Sierra Brannon said. “I feel like I’m not ready to pay taxes and bills and all of that. They didn’t teach us that in school. They used to teach people that a long time ago.”
Brannon is excited, however, to be attending the University of West Florida after already earning her associate of arts before getting her high school diploma.
Some Baker graduates said they’re ready for the workforce. Cody House said he will head out to Washington for welding work. He said he may eventually attend college. “It depends on if I get my certifications while I’m out welding.”
While the students will take different paths as they enter adulthood, many have memories of starting their path for 13 years at the same school that has been around now for a century.
As Nunley said in her commencement speech, “Baker is a family.”
With 100 Gators all growing up together, that kind of family bond will not be broken.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Baker is a family': Gator graduates make college, work plans