Huntingtown High School (HHS) said goodbye June 2 to possibly the largest senior class in Calvert County history. Just a tad under 400 students were awarded diplomas at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
Principal Rick Weber shared some other big numbers with the thousands packed in the arena. An amazing 60 percent of the senior class has made honor roll at least once. Nearly 70 percent of the HHS Class of 2011 members who took the Advanced Placement Test passed. The graduating HHS seniors collectively have been awarded $4.5 million in scholarships.
“Many people played a significant role” in the students’ achievement, Weber pointed out. The basketball coach-turned principal gave credit to the team of achievement facilitators and asked each group to take a bow—teachers, community leaders (coaches, Scoutmasters, youth group coordinators and clergy) and parents.
“Always work hard,” Weber told the graduates. “Treat everybody you meet with respect.”
“Now we don’t have to dream about what we want to be,” said class valedictorian Doreen Chan, who will enroll at The University of Maryland Baltimore County this fall. “Now we can fulfill our dreams.”
“I hope you never forget how to play,” said class salutorian Sarah Mayner during her address.
In fact, HHS students have excelled in the performing arts and sports during the school’s brief history. In addition to performances by the HHS choir and band, two members of the Class of 2011—Carly Geiger and Brooke Smith—sang “To You,” a song they wrote.
