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Three Lady Vikings get special graduation after missing ceremony for state championship game

Fort Walton Beach High School held a special graduation ceremony Wednesday for three softball seniors who missed commencement to win the state championship.

Jared Williams

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The Fort Walton Beach High School varsity softball team’s historic state championship celebration continued Wednesday as the school honored three seniors who missed graduation to capture the program’s first state title.

Seniors Alyx Hall, Hali Smith and Taitum Tolliver participated in a special graduation ceremony held on the softball field Wednesday, five days after the Lady Vikings defeated American Heritage 7-6 on May 23 in Orlando to claim the Class 4A state championship.

The three seniors missed Fort Walton Beach High School’s graduation ceremony, which was held the same night as the championship game. However, Principal Lindsey Smith began that graduation by giving the entire team a shoutout, specifically acknowledging the three absent seniors.

Following their championship victory, the seniors had their own graduation “walk” at the team hotel in Orlando. But the school wanted to provide a more formal recognition back home.

“Congratulations Alyx, Hali, and Taitum! We wish you luck in your futures and can’t wait to see the greatness that you will accomplish,” the school wrote in announcing Wednesday’s ceremony. “Thank you to all the family, friends, and staff for attending to support our girls. Thank you to our school board members and district employees for being there with us as well.”

The ceremony featured assistance from the school’s JROTC program and Voices of Valhalla, with photography provided by DJ Hearne.

The state championship marked the first softball state title in Fort Walton Beach High School history, capping a remarkable playoff run for the Lady Vikings.

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