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Grads Cap Off Year

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 29, 2008

TAMPA - Freedom High's graduation ceremony on Wednesday marked the end of an era for two people who shaped its history: Principal Richard Bartels, who opened the school in 2002, and senior Martin Lohn, who named the building.

Bartels, who retires next month after 35 years, presided over his final graduation ceremony.

He made no mention of his departure as he addressed the crowd of several thousand students, teachers and family members at the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Instead, he took the moment to boast about the Class of 2008.

"This class collected $10.1 million in scholarship money," he said. "This class also gave back to the community, generously providing countless service hours."

Bartels told the students about the challenges their generation would face.

"You will have to protect the environment to ensure clean air and water," he said. "It will be up to you to sustain the economic prosperity this country has known since the end of World War II."

Bartels emphasized the patriotic spirit of Freedom High, where the student body is known as the Patriots. He reminded the students that it will be their jobs to preserve this country's freedoms and fight terrorism.

He also took a moment to recognize the nine graduating students who plan to serve their country by entering the military. Senior Shaniquia Finch, 17, is going into the Navy. She said Bartels will be missed.

"He was a good principal because he did a lot for our school and really cared about us," she said.

Also among the military-bound was Lohn, who plans to attend West Point.

Lohn, 18, has a unique connection to Freedom because long before he attended the school, he helped name it. When Freedom was being built seven years ago, a bitter battle emerged between parents over the naming of the high school. A group of South Tampa parents wanted the school named for a South Tampa community leader. New Tampa parents wanted a name that reflected the community.

After weeks of battling, it was Lohn, then 11, who suggested the new high school and middle school in Tampa Palms should honor the heroes who had died just months before in the Sept. 11 attacks. The names Freedom High and Liberty Middle were born.

"I believed in honoring my country then, and I plan on honoring my country until the day I die," Lohn said.

Lohn said his goal is to go to Iraq to continue the fight for freedom.

"I may not be a Freedom Patriot anymore," he said. "But I'll always be a patriot."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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