Transformer blew at Fort Walton Beach High School Graduation, Deputies come to the rescue

After a day of terrible weather, Fort Walton Beach High School was moving forward with their graduation ceremony last night at Steve Riggs Stadium. All was going as planned until […]

After a day of terrible weather, Fort Walton Beach High School was moving forward with their graduation ceremony last night at Steve Riggs Stadium.

  • All was going as planned until a transformer blew and the stadium went dark.

In the video, it looks like confetti of some sort was released which caused the issue. This happened about halfway through the diploma ceremony, according to School Board Member Tim Bryant. 

“This could have gotten out of control, but the most beautiful thing happened,” he said. “The graduates started singing songs, the audience turned their cell phone lights on, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office had two cars come onto the field to light up the stage and use their speaker system to announce the names.”

Bryant says that Principal Spolski and his team made sure everyone was calm and orderly while Deputy Superintendent Steve Horton was on the phone with FPL to help get power restored. 

“As we continued the ceremony, the power was restored and the final students made their way across stage,” he said. “Through their entire high school career these students have faced many obstacles and challenges, but when the lights went out, that is when these graduates really shined!”

Congratulations Vikings class of 2022!

PROMOTION

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Trusting in Trey Goodwin = INSANITY defined!! Year after year of empty promises... He's "frustrated". He doesn't know how to get it done - so it's about time to replace...”
Respond
Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: October 23, 2026
“2:40, 6 attempts”
Respond
“I Love Tiffany, she is such a Joy to be around, so full of life , always ready to help. My kids went to Navarre high school with her and...”
Respond
Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: October 22, 2026
“0:20, 3 attempts. Yowza!”
Respond
“I met Tiffany years ago at the Campus Cafe and always knew she would do great things . And she sure has and then same. So proud of her and...”
Respond
“Could it be this area draining into Cinco Bayou is reason water quality there can’t pass standards? People living on and using that waterway should be up in arms to...”
Respond
“DUH….Maybe, just maybe this draining into Cinco Bayou is the reason Cinco’s water quality of late can’t pass the test????? MAYBE….YEP, MOST LIKELY!!”
Respond
“I have lived in Overbrook since 2021 and we have flooded 3 times. Our home is the one that flooded in 2024 from the rainstorm, and we had another flood...”
Respond
“Estimated date cleanup for Lake Lorraine??”
Respond
“If you think it’s bad here go to Gulf Breeze. It’ll take months to clean up there.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.