Diploma 'Misprint' Not What It Seems

BROOKSVILLE - There was a bit of confusion when some locals glanced at the seal on the Central High School diploma and medallion that seniors received for graduation.

Right next to the school mascot of a bear, a large "88" appears, causing several parents to call Hernando Today and question whether the year had been misprinted and the printing company had meant to print "08," for 2008, instead.

But it's not a typo, school officials say.

"The 88 is a reference to the year the school opened up," assistant principal Rick Markford said. "But it's caught me a few times, as well. Sometimes you see it on graduation items and it throws things off."

One parent, who did not want her name used, feared the numbers may make her child's diploma look false.

Officials at the Brooksville school are not planning to reprint the diplomas, and few parents have complained to the school, Markford said.

However, he said he can see their point.

"This being '08, I can see where it would cause confusion," he said.

The numbers on the seal are small and the diplomas read "2008" in much larger letters.

Markford said the school has several logos, and not all include the 88.