- September 15, 2025
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Tenth grader Bastian Piña helps wheel out the band instruments.
Photo by Ian SwabyTenth grader IIsaialyah Edwards, twelfth grader Azzarea Santos, tenth grader Lesly Baca-Saldivar and eleventh grader Samari Branch
Photo by Ian SwabyAssistant Athletic Director Angie Byrd and Principal Rachel Shelley walk through the field house.
Photo by Ian SwabyJordan Myers and her children Madden Myers, 1, and Bailee Myers, 4, enjoy treats from Kona Ice.
Photo by Ian SwabyCoach Carlos Woods gives orders to the athletes.
Photo by Ian SwabySuperintendent of Schools Terry Connor approaches junior Augis Blanc.
Photo by Ian SwabySome of the local officials in attendance included Principal Rachel Shelley, Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor, school board member Robyn Marinelli, City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, school board member Tom Edwards, school board member Liz Barker, City Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, City Commissioner Debbie Trice and Executive Director of Secondary Schools Nate Francis
Photo by Ian SwabyThe new field house features a conference room.
Photo by Ian SwabySuperintendent of Schools Terry Connor poses with seniors Karaijus Hayes, Joel Morris, Dylan Wester and Kevontay Hugan.
Photo by Ian SwabyJunior Max Taken and sophomore Carter Atwood of Berkeley Prep are on the tail of senior Tyren Wortham of Booker High School.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Chauncey Kennon and junior Zaddy Turo of Booker High School walk across the field.
Photo by Ian SwabyKnowledge Lazier, 4, watches as the athletes warm up.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Kayden Hunt of Booker High School prepares for the game.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Dylan Wester, senior Kevontay Hugan, Coach Carlos Woods, senior Karaijus Hayes and senior Joel Morris gather at the podium.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Dylan Wester adjusts his helmet.
Photo by Ian SwabyBooker High School's cheerleaders perform in front of its marching band.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Tony Bland of Berkeley Prep, and senior Tyren Wortham and junior Nate Rodriguez of Booker High School, play on the field.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe opening of the field house coincided with the home game on Aug. 29.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Jaleel Williams of Booker High School runs across the field.
Photo by Ian SwabyPrincipal Rachel Shelley and Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor cut the ribbon.
Photo by Ian SwabySenior Greyson Kelly-Hancz of Booker High School runs across the field.
Photo by Ian SwabyFront: Eleventh grader Khloe Lopez, eleventh grader Samari Branch, and eleventh grader Ottis Jackson. Back: Tenth grader Samantha Duncan, eleventh grader Marisol Torres, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Rachael O'Dea, Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor, school board member Robyn Marinelli, Chief of Secondary Education Megan Green, tenth grader Lesly Baca-Saldivar and Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley
Photo by Ian SwabyDarion Lazier and his son Derick White, 9, enjoy the game.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe opening of the field house coincided with the home game on Aug. 29.
Photo by Ian SwabyAthletes from Berkeley Prep line up on the field.
Photo by Ian SwabyAfter a recent track and field remodel at Booker High School, the school celebrated the addition of another piece on Aug. 29.
Numerous local officials turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the school's new field house facility, which has been under construction since May 2024.
The project, budgeted at $2.2 million as of June, replaces the school's original field facilities with a new field house and locker rooms, remodeled from a previous storage and chiller facility.
That same night, the school also held a home football game, in which it won 29-23 against Tampa Berkeley Prep, with Superintendent of Sarasota County Schools Terry Connor performing the coin toss prior to the start of the game.
Although the game was soon to get underway as the ribbon-cutting took place, Coach Carlos Woods and a few athletes took to the podium so that Woods could praise the addition to the school.
“Thank you to everyone that was involved, everyone that said yes, to keep pushing, keep pushing, to get everything that we need to in order to take our student athletes to the next level,” he said.
Some of the features of the climate-controlled space are locker rooms, a conference room, offices for coaching staff, a nutrition area for student athletes, specialized areas for the trainer, storage for uniforms, showers and restrooms.
Principal Rachel Shelley, who has been with the school for 15 years, said she had long wanted to see this type of project for the athletes.
"It was not up to standards," she said of the school's previous space
She said the field house will give the school a competitive edge when it comes to facilities.
"I think it's going to add a lot of desire to want to be in that environment, so I think our overall athletic program is going to be enhanced because of it," she said.
