Destin High School has announced the celebrity guest speakers for the 2023 Commencement, which will feature the very first graduating class in the school’s history.
- The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Amphitheater, located adjacent to the high school’s campus.
“We are excited to invite the entire community to join us as we celebrate the Class of 2023 and to hear from not one, but two celebrity keynote speakers, with local ties to Destin, for the Destin High School Class of 2023 commencement,” said Head of School, Christine Cruickshank.
Cruickshank added, “Our Graduation speakers bring a diverse range of life experiences, business acumen and both embody the values we strive to uphold each day — making a difference, innovative thinking, hard work, and resilient leadership, all while inspiring hope, and promoting kindness, with a touch of laughter.”
The first speaker is Leigh Anne Tuohy from the book and movie “The Blind Side.” A graduate of Ole Miss, Leigh Anne is a motivational speaker, interior designer, and New York Times best-selling author. She has ties to Destin, owning a home along the Emerald Coast for many years.
- Leigh Anne’s work has been featured on popular TV shows, and she has designed for notable clients, including athletes and CEOs. She and her husband established The Making It Happen Foundation, which supports children in need.
The second speaker is Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South. Sean is an acclaimed writer, columnist, and stand-up storyteller known for his reflections on life in the American South. His work has appeared in various publications, and he has authored fifteen books.
- Sean’s writing evokes both laughter and tears, resonating with readers through heartfelt and poignant stories. Having made Walton County his home as a teenager, Sean draws inspiration from the Panhandle. He met his wife in Destin and currently resides in Birmingham.
Reserved seating assignments will be provided for graduate’s immediate family and guests, according to the high school. Community guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs if seating is needed.
