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After helping distribute diplomas during the first three Calvert County Public Schools’ graduations in her role as student member of the Board of Education, Northern High School (NHS) Class of 2012 Salutatorian Kelsey Miller finally got her moment at the podium. “I can’t promise we can change the world but we can make our mark somewhere,” said the Yale-bound Miller. Her speech was interrupted by a microphone glitch. Showing the poise of an Ivy League scholar ready for the real world, Miller tapped the microphone, which was working again, smiled and proclaimed “we’re good.”

For the nearly 378 NHS grads, the June 7 commencement at Show Place Arena was good and any glitches from their four years spent at the Owings school got swept away with the confetti.

“This is the rest of our lives,” said Valedictorian Katherine Stiles. “Do what you want with it and do it because you love it.”

“The end is not always the end,” said rookie Principal Dr. Sylvia Lawson. “You are standing on the threshold of history.”

Lawson chose to quote an animated character, Buzz Lightyear, as she told the graduates they were embarking on a life’s journey that would take them “to infinity and beyond. You have made your mark on Northern High School. I have many times been amazed by your character.”

One student awarded a diploma was not physically present to receive it. Corey Lee Gilger died of a rare form of cancer during her freshman year. Two of her siblings went on stage to receive her diploma. During her address, Class President Chelsea Accipiter fondly recalled Corey. “She was one of my best friends, my partner in crime,” said Accipiter.

Senior members of the NHS Choral Department joined the school’s chamber choir to perform Stephen Schwartz’s “For Good.”

“Wow, where does the time go?” Accipiter exclaimed, adding that the evening was the start of “the rest of our crazy lives” for the NHS Class of 2012.

For information on the Corey Gilger Foundation visit www.coreygilger.org

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com