Distinguished member of the FSDB Board of Trustees Christine M. Chapman of St. Augustine will serve as commencement speaker for the 107th FSDB Commencement Ceremonies to be held on Thursday, June 3 and Friday, June 4, 2021. Chapman will share words of inspiration with 2021 graduates from across the state of Florida as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Christine M. Chapman is a philanthropist who has devoted herself to many organizations in support of St. Augustine. She earned both her master’s degree in educational leadership and bachelor’s degree in special education K-12 from the University of North Florida. A longtime resident of St. Johns County, she worked for 20 years at FSDB in both the classroom and administration. Her community experience includes service on many nonprofit boards, including the Junior Service League of St. Augustine (past president), Kids Bridge (past president), Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Flagler Hospital and Limelight Theatre. She is married to Steve Chapman, owner of All American Air-Conditioning and Heating. In 2010, she and her husband established the All American Air Charitable Foundation, and she serves as president of the board.
Valedictorians and Salutatorians
Special honors will be bestowed upon Blind High School co-valedictorians Jose Yassir Bohorquez and Jonathan Jacob Carver and salutatorian Delayna Raine Goodrich as well as Deaf High School valedictorian Josiah David Roberson and salutatorian Fernando Dopico Fernandez. The salutatorians will deliver the opening Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, and the valedictorians will address their respective classes.
Jose Yassir Bohorquez is an honor graduate from Kissimmee. Yassir is a Blind High School co-valedictorian, National Honor Society member, and qualified for the Bright Futures scholarship. He earned 42 credits through dual enrollment at Saint Johns River State College. He served as Class of 2021 vice president and treasurer and was active on the goalball team. One of his proudest moments was going to his first goalball tournament. He also as a braille academic tutor in the Blind Elementary School dormitory and doing braille repair in the Braille Shop. Yassir was accepted at the University of Florida; he plans to major in computer science and minor in mathematics, business, or leadership.
Jonathan Jacob Carver is an honor graduate from Saint Augustine. Jonathan is a Blind High School co-valedictorian, a National Honor Society member, and qualified for the Bright Futures scholarship. He earned ten credit hours through dual enrollment at Saint Johns River State College. One of his proudest moments was representing FSDB during the Florida 2020 Sunshine State Scholar conference. He volunteered in the Technology Department, assisting staff members with student technology resources. Jonathan was accepted at the University of Central Florida and to the Georgia Institute of Technology sophomore class. He plans to attend UCF and transfer to Georgia Tech, majoring in computer science.
Delayna Raine Goodrich is an honor graduate from Daytona Beach. Delayna is Blind High School salutatorian and Bright Futures Scholarship recipient. She earned 50 credits through dual enrollment at Daytona State College and St. Johns River State College. One of her proudest memories involved winning the Volusia County World Language Festival talent show two years in a row. Before transferring to FSDB, Delayna attended New Smyrna Beach High School. Delayna has been re-accepted to Daytona State College and major in Special Education; she plans to become a teacher for the blind/visually impaired.
Josiah David Roberson is an honor graduate from St. Augustine. Josiah is the Deaf High School valedictorian. He was a member of the Dance Troupe, basketball, cross country, and football teams. His proudest moments at FSDB were winning the Mason-Dixon Boys Basketball championship and being named to the All-Tournament team. Josiah plans to attend Gallaudet University and major in Business Administration.
Fernando Dopico Fernandez is an honor graduate from Tampa. Fernando is proud of his selection as the Deaf Salutatorian and being a 2020 Character Counts award recipient. He plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and pursue a degree in the medical field.
Awards and Commencement Ceremonies
Awards ceremonies are virtual this year; both commencement ceremonies will be held on campus for graduates and a limited number of guests; the program will be structured in the same manner as past events with welcoming remarks by FSDB President Tracie C. Snow. The time-honored traditions of graduate turning of tassels and tossing of caps in the air will be featured at the conclusion of both ceremonies. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in the livestreamed events below to watch and celebrate with the Classes of 2021:
Post-event video now on the website.
Blind High School – Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 7 p.m.
Deaf High School – Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
Blind High School – Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 11 a.m.
Deaf High School - Friday, June 4, 2021, at 11 a.m.
Digital program books for the above events as well as and post-event videos will also be available on the FSDB website.
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind. At FSDB, students learn how to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB gratefully accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds. To inquire about enrollment eligibility or schedule a campus tour, contact Parent Services at 904-827-2212 voice or 904-201-4527 videophone. For more information about FSDB, visit www.fsdbk12.org.