TAMPA, Fla. — Students at the Hillsborough Academy of Math and Science witnessed democracy on Tuesday, receiving a real life lesson in civics when Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer held his swearing in ceremony at the school.

Tuesday's was Latimer’s fourth swearing in ceremony — he has served as Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections for the last 12 years.

“I’ve run over 44 elections now, that have all been verified with post-election audit, and also certified by the canvassing board," he said. "I just want to continue to make sure those who are eligible to register to vote, register, and those who are registered have the opportunity to vote."

Part of those duties on Tuesday included a lesson for eighth graders at the Hillsborough Academy of Math and Science on what it means to be an elected official.

“This is Civics 101," Latimer said. "We’re going to show these students what it is to be sworn in when you’re elected to office, and the responsibilities that you have."

Hillsborough County Judge Daryl Manning presided over the ceremony and explained to students what it means to take an oath.

“That’s an oath, that’s what people take, so you can be responsible, not only to yourself, but to the person sitting to the left and the right of you,” he said.

And making the day even more special for Latimer, his grandson, Keaton, held the Bible for the swearing in ceremony. 

Keaton is a student at the school, and while he’s always been a part of his grandfather’s swearing in ceremonies, it was his idea to bring the ceremony to his school, and with a little help from his teacher, he made it happen.

“My history teacher is the one who helped us be able to do all this, so he was very excited about it because I’ve told him before, you know my grandfather is the supervisor of elections, he’s my civics and my world history teacher, so he loved the idea about that,” said Keaton.

Latimer said sharing this memory with his grandson, and his fellow students, made it one of his most special ceremonies, and he hopes seeing civics in action inspires students to get involved as adults. 

Latimer was first elected to his position in November 2012, and was re-elected in 2016, 2020, and 2024.