Upper Marlboro, MD – Before they could exit the school system, pose for pictures with family and friends, attend a project graduation party and pack for “Beach Week,” Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) graduating seniors got to savor a moment in the spotlight at Show Place Arena. The four commencements were held Wednesday, June 7 (Calvert and Northern high schools) and Thursday, June 9 (Huntingtown and Patuxent high schools). The exercises served as a showcase for student leaders’ oratory, music talent and enthusiasm. However, a time-honored display of that exuberance was absent this year. According to several CCPS officials, Show Place Arena management forbade the traditional tossing of confetti at the conclusions of the ceremonies. Unlike years past, when there were several different colors of caps and gowns worn by students—a gender and achievement-based arrangement—the graduates of the separate schools all wore the same color. One school administrator told TheBayNet.com that the uniformity is a nationwide trend in public education.
The latter arrangement fit well with the message the exiting students received from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Curry. Two kindergarten carpets were placed in front of the stage. Curry then invited any graduate who wished to come forward, sit on the carpet—kindergartener-style—as he read Lachie Hume’s book, “Clancy the Courageous Cow.” The children’s book is the story of a Belted Galloway born without a white “belt.” Clancy uses his blackness and physical strength to end prejudice based on color among all the cows in the pasture.
“You are about to embark on a journey and it’s going to take courage,” Curry told the graduates.
Calvert County Board of Education President Pamela Cousins recalled being told to “buckle up and enjoy the ride” when first riding a roller coaster. The experience was daunting, Cousins indicated, likening the experience to what the graduates will be facing in life after high school. “Your journey starts and you have to buckle up and get ready to go,” said Cousins. “Don’t be afraid.”
The grads of all four Calvert County public high schools have plenty of accomplishments from their four years—achievements in academics, athletics, the arts and community service.
Thirty-seven Calvert High School (CHS) graduates earned scholarships for college. The CHS Graduates with Distinction were: Kristen M. Almuete, Carleigh Jane Bartholomew, Taylor M. Bowen, Natalie G. Cloak, Emma E. Dodsworth, Chloe M. Fitrell, Haley R. Flanders, Hannah K. Frere, Benjamin C. Harris, Dane K. Hudson, Sean D. Kim, Jessica L. Loveless, Britton M. Luker, Lauren A. Miller, Cassidy T. Turner, Lindsey E. Wagner and Nora A. Windsor. Of that group, Kim was selected to deliver the Graduate with Distinction address during the ceremony, Cloak, who served as class president, also spoke.
The Northern High School (NHS) graduation ceremony included a special moment. According to CCPS officials, the brother of graduate Caitlin Rexford surprised her during the ceremony. The brother, who had been deployed overseas with the U.S. Armed Forces, took the place of one of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students. He escorted Rexford to her seat. The NHS Graduates with Distinction were: Shaheer Ahmad, Zackary C. Andraka, Joan K. Bachar, Alicia R. Bennett, Natalie E. Brooks, John E. Bubser III, Micah D. Calderwood, Ethan M. Cerrito, Gunnar G. Christianson, Calvin G. Crunkleton, Andrew R. Denby, Tyler A. DeShong, Nina G. Dorsett, Sierra L. Dunfee, Molly K. Elkins, Patrick J. Ervin, Alexander R. Fowler, Samantha J. Frost, Alyssa N. Gray, Julia M. Gray, Shannon G. Greene, Amy P. Hagen, John A. Heide, Kyle J. Hurley, Holly N. Johnson, Christian T. Kincaid, Jacob D. King, Ruby A. Krauss, Michael J. Lindsey, Matthew S. McKay, Priscilla A. Means, Casey E. Myer, Thomas T. O’Brien Jr., Joseph M. Perdue, Jack S. Petrauskas, Emily G. Poole, Ryan N. Rice, Alexandra G. St. Laurent and Charles L. Sweeney. Elkins was picked to deliver the Graduate with Distinction address. Class president Jocelyn King also spoke.
The Huntingtown High School (HHS) 2017 graduating class totaled 348. Nearly 100 of those students—28 percent—earned scholarships. The HHS Graduates with Distinction were: Gautam Ajai, Christopher G. Alexy, Kirsi G. Arnesen, Camryn Lynn Arnstein, Dylan Warner Bagarus, Aidan L. Baird, Scott M. Bland, Christy L. Bradford, Dia M. Brown, Alyssa M. Butters, Elisabeth E. Cunningham, Alison M. Davis, Emily J. Desverreaux, Shannon M. Duffy, Michael T. Dunphy, Madeline J. Gaff, Barrak L. Gay, Josephine I. Hall, Grace M. Harriman, Hannah Hilton, Peter T. Huynh, Brandon C. Jackson, Rebekah G. Johnson, Annika G. Kelsey, Benjamin J. Krohn, Kristina M. Larkin, Alexis N. Laurer, Amanda C. Lewis, Haley B. Logan, Allison Brooke Mattera, Kristina M. McKeaver, Walter E. Merz, Georgia R. Minni, Jimmy Nguyen, Wesley P. Nicholson, Eugene Park, Jenna L. Rhoads, Lucie O. Roach, Brittany L. Shapiro, Brianna M. Shepherd, Zachary O. Smith, Samantha A. Spencer, Nicholas A. Stafir, Bradley R. Stephens, Amanda J. Strahl, David E. Waldron, Sean A. Winters, Julianna Marie Young, Benjamin E. Zawislak and Isabella Zentner. McKeaver delivered the Graduate with Distinction address, Shapiro, who was class president, also addressed the audience. Roach, who had served as the BOE student representative, helped present diplomas to the graduates.
The Patuxent High School (PHS) Class of 2017 totals 252 graduates. While several plan to pursue higher education, five grads have indicated they are enlisting in the military with one student headed for a service academy. The PHS Graduates with Distinction were: Amber E. Douglass, Kelsey L. Duprey, Samantha R. Falco, Sarah C. Fyock, Celeste L. Haas, Lily A. Hensler, Connor S. Klapper, William J. Mullens III, Steffan A. Newton, Alexander J. Padilla, Charles P. Pudlo, Bridget K. Schwab, Danielle M. Szynborski and Michael R. Waby. Falco delivered the Graduate with Distinction address. Class president Emily M. Wose also spoke during the ceremony.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
