- June 29, 2024
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Class of 2024 Mainland seniors: Nygel Allen, Joshua Ambrose, Jaden Allmon and Darren Brown. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland seniors rest their feet before heading into the Ocean Center auditorium to graduate. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Class of 2024 graduates from (left to right): Lawrence Campbell, Chaythen Davis, Antonio Davis, Malik Daniels and Jeremiah Davis. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland cheerleading coach and proud mom of graduate Zavier Mincey, Jenece Giddens, takes photos and videos during the Class of 2024's graduation experience at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Class of 2024 graduates Dakota Bess, Kaitlin Barba and prom king Eric Bell hang out before lining up for the commencement ceremonies at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland assistant band director Evan Gilbert conducts the Buccaneer symphonic band during the commencement exercises at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Director of Bands Gregory Dukes conducts the Buccaneer symphonic band during the graduation ceremonies at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland graduate Tia Dobson (center) will head to the University of North Carolina Wilmington to play basketball in the fall. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Mainland Air Force JROTC presents the colors at the Class of 2024 commencement exercises at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland salutatorian Camille Pereira Baniqued (left) waves as she is introduced to the crowd while valedictorian Mateo Antonio Castillo (right) waits for his introduction at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland valedictorian Mateo Antonio Castillo stands as he is introduced at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland salutatorian Camille Pereira Baniqued talks to the graduates, families and friends at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland salutatorian Camille Pereira Baniqued. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland valedictorian Mateo Antonio Castillo addresses the crowd at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Principal Dr. Joseph Castelli speaks at the Class of 2024 commencement exercises held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland valedictorian Mateo Antonio Castillo graduates at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Mainland Class of 2024 officially graduates at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Principal Dr. Joseph Castelli asks graduates to stand if they got an associate degree from Daytona State College. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland High School graduates stand to be recognized at the commencement exercises held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland senior Jeremiah Davis strikes a pose as he classmates watch before lining up to head into the graduation ceremonies held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland senior Alexandria Key waits to head into the auditorium for the graduation ceremony at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland seniors Leilani Figueroa and Zariah Ferguson prepare to lineup before heading into the Ocean Center auditorium for the graduation ceremonies. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland senior Justice Ammon graudates with an industry scholar designation at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland student athlete Demond Noelien, Jr. graduates with an industry scholar and scholar designation. He wears a gold football championship medal, a silver football medal and two state track medals for discus. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland seniors cross the stage to graduate during the commencement exercises at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland basketball player Anovia Sheals will play for NCAA Division 1 school Austin Peay State University in Tennessee in the fall. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Buccaneers hang out before the commencement exercises begin at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Commencement exercises at the Ocean Center for the Mainland Buccaneers Class of 2024. Photo by Michele Meyers
Commencement exercises at the Ocean Center for the Mainland Buccaneers Class of 2024. Emmanuel Yisrael (second from left) wears his football championship medal during the ceremony. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Buccaneers wait to walk the stage at the commencement exercises held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Nygel Allen shakes hands with Mainland Principal Dr. Joseph Castelli at the commencement exercises held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Buccaneers walk the stage to acccept their diplomas and shake Principal Dr. Joseph Castelli's (left) hand at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Buccaneers walk the stage to acccept their diplomas at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Buccaneers walk the stage to acccept their diplomas at the graduation ceremony held at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland football player Jerard Bell smiles as he graduates during the commencement exercises at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers
Principal Dr. Joseph Castelli started his career at Mainland High School in 2020 during COVID with the Class of 2024. He said he will remember those four years, and the seniors that graduated Friday, May 24, at the Ocean Center, for the rest of his life.
“My hope is that Mainland has given you as much Buc pride as each of you have provided me,” he said.
Before the commencement began, Castelli asked for a moment of silence to remember the life of a Sugar Mill Elementary student who had died that morning.
The Buccaneer symphonic band performed “Pomp and Circumstance” followed by the pledge of allegiance, led by Cadet Landon Baliles. The Mainland concert choir then sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” and later the alma mater, led by Mainland Director of Bands Gregory Dukes.
Class of 2024, congratulations to all of you. I am truly honored and proud of your accomplishments. Please never forget when you go forth and challenges come your way that the knowledge and experience you have gained at Mainland High School has prepared you for what lies ahead." — DR. JOSEPH CASTELLI, Mainland High School principal
In attendance were Carmen Balgobin, the superintendent for Volusia County Schools, with select cabinet members, Volusia County School Board members and Castelli’s administrative team.
Assistant Principal Julian Gutierrez announced the student speakers: Valedictorian Mateo Antonio Castillo and Salutatorian Camille Pereira Baniqued.
Castillo earned an associate degree from Daytona State College and will be attending the University of Central Florida in the fall, where he will either major in engineering or the medical field.
“Let us take forth the lessons we have learned at Mainland High School,” Castillo said. “Let us embrace the unknown with the knowledge that each challenge we face is an opportunity for growth. Finally, let us make the most out of every second life has to offer.”
Castelli said that when it comes to accomplishments, this class has left quite a mark for the underclassmen to attain.
“Each individual member has made a special contribution to Mainland High School during his or her career,” he said. “Their accomplishments have been remarkable.”
Fifty-three percent of the class graduated with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and 30% graduated with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Graduates accumulated over 10,000 hours of community service and earned $2.5 million in total scholarship funds.
Castelli asked the Mainland alumni to stand and be recognized by the Class of 2024. As the crowd remained standing, he asked everyone to say the Buccaneer motto together
“Buc pride never dies,” he said.
The crowd cheered as Castelli stood before the podium.
“Class of 2024, congratulations to all of you,” he said. “I am truly honored and proud of your accomplishments. Please never forget when you go forth and challenges come your way that the knowledge and experience you have gained at Mainland High School has prepared you for what lies ahead. Thank you, Class of 2024.”
