Cypress Bay Graduation Makes History With Biden At Marlins Park

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - Graduating seniors at Cypress Bay High School in Weston made history Monday at their high school graduation.

Not only did Vice President Joe Biden deliver the keynote address, but the graduation ceremony was held in the new Marlins Park, becoming the first school to hold its commencement in the shiny, new stadium.

"As a kid, this was my dream, standing at home plate at a major league ballpark. Not as a speaker, but as a batter. But I had to settle for becoming vice president," Vice President Biden joked to the crowd of students wearing blue caps and gowns.

His message to those embarking on a new world was simple; what they did from this day forward had the potential to impact the world.

"You can build lifelong friendships and loyalties, or tear someone down. Tolerance, respect, and understanding are not some obsolete and old notions that don't matter anymore. In the new world we are inheriting they will matter more than they ever did in the history of mankind."

School officials said the ceremony was originally set for June 3rd at the University of Miami's Bank United Center, but Biden was tied up with his daughter's wedding in Delaware and was only available on June 4th, when the facility was not available. So Broward County's largest high school booked Marlins Park for the 2012 graduation.

Of course, the new venue came with a much higher price tag. That's when an anonymous private donor stepped up and paid the $6,000 difference.

"It's fantastic, it's actually our first time in the park," said Suarez, "We've been wanting to get out her for a while, so what better time than for our daughter's graduation."

So why Cypress Bay High? Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz happens to oversee the district. She also happens to be the Chairwoman for the Democratic National Committee.

Whatever the reason, though, students are pumped.

"I think it's an amazing honor. It's definitely a testament to excellence of Cypress Bay," senior Felipe Lozano said.