ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. –  More than 2,000 St. Petersburg College graduates finally had the chance to walk across the stage and turn their tassels at Tropicana Field.

Saturday's graduation was the first in-person commencement ceremony for the college since the pandemic began. 

According to SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams, multiple generations were represented among the graduating class, with the youngest grad being 16 years old and the oldest, 74.

"I started in 2014 as a dropout with a GED and decided to see if I could be the best student I could be," said commencement speaker Garrick Roe. "I’ve been writing this speech for about 5 years now." 

Roe is also the 2022 Alumni Achievement Award winner. His journey to the stage started 8 years ago. 

The 49-year-old is the first to graduate college in his immediate family. 

While attending classes at SPC, he wasted no time in getting involved on campus and started a Permaculture Club. 

"I enjoyed empowering students and showed them how to be the best," said Roe. 

From that endeavor blossomed a food forest he established to provide free fruits and vegetables for students. 

During his speech, he reminded students no matter how big or small their contribution is on campus, it's a start to their own legacy. 

"Leaving the food forest behind is a great resource to leave," added Roe.

He presented his capstone project on finding solutions to food deserts in the area to St. Pete City Council. The City is now trying to establish its own public food forest and garden. 

"It feels good to show everybody that it’s not too late to go back, that you really can change your life, just decide what you love and go to school for it and do it," he added. 

Roe plans to continue with his education by getting a master's degree at the University of South Florida. 

He is also searching for a full-time job in the field of Public Policy. 

Those who could not attend commencement can see the entire ceremony via St. Petersburg College's YouTube page.