Giant Manatee High video screen to wish seniors congratulations at graduation

BRADENTON -- Students and families at Manatee High School will have the opportunity to send a special message to 2016 graduates on the new giant video screen this year.

In addition to a live broadcast of the graduation ceremony, school officials are planning to use the new video screen at Joe Kinnan Field at Hawkins Stadium to display photos and messages from families and loved ones to the graduates.

The special messages will run before and after the ceremony begins, said Athletic Director Danielle LaPoint.

A call went home to parents and students earlier this week, and LaPoint wants to collect all the photos and 140-character messages by May 6 to be able to put together the presentation before graduation June 4.

"This is a trial for us," LaPoint said. "We wanted a short, sweet congratula

tions."

The video screen was unveiled last fall at Manatee High School, the first of its kind in the county. Local sponsorships and the booster club paid for installation and upkeep. Organizer Gene Brown has long said the video screen would be useful for more than just sporting events.

"That was part of what made it so easy for me," he said.

Brown plans to attend the graduation ceremony this year, the first with the video screen and new sound system. He said he's excited those attending this year will have the ability to hear better and see their graduate walk across the stage clearly.

Graduation messages are similar to paid advertisements found in a yearbook.

The video screen message costs $75, and the money will go toward helping cover the cost of running the video screen. Any leftover money will go to a fund to help cover the cost of running other school-based events such as senior nights or other club activities.

Depending on the number of submissions LaPoint receives, she hopes to run through the messages at least twice, but if she has time and space, she'd like to run the loop more than that.

"I think it will bring a whole new aspect to graduation," she said.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Giant Manatee High video screen to wish seniors congratulations at graduation ."