Waldorf, MD  – Recalling her freshman year at Maurice J. McDonough High School (MDHS), Class of 2015 President Alexandria Jones declared, “I knew I was out of my comfort zone.” Jones and her classmates, totaling over 300 at the Pomfret school, subsequently adapted to the routine of being high school students.

Now the newly graduated Rams must exit the comfortable confines for the next adventure in life. Jones told her classmates at the school’s Saturday afternoon, May 30 commencement exercises that leaving the comfort zone is certain to be a recurring theme in life.

Jones is bound for nearby Bowie State University in the fall. Over 140 members of the class will also stay close to home, enrolling in the College of Southern Maryland. Some will travel to colleges and universities in Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Kentucky and the Carolinas. Over 20 members of MDHS’ Class of 2015 have opted to join the Armed Forces. Ten members of the graduating class have indicated they will be enrolled in apprenticeship training programs while another 20 have stated they are bound for the “world of work.”

“Our lives are our own stories to write,” said class salutatorian Tatianna Griffin, who will attend Long University in Virginia this fall.

“Consider those who have supported you and thank them for your success,” class valedictorian Shannon Haley stated. Haley will be a student at the University of Mary Washington in the fall.

Griffin and Haley joined classmate Kimberly Boenig in a performance of Carrie Underwood’s “Whatever You Remember.”

At the start of the ceremony the MDHS Chamber Choir delivered a rousing, robust rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.

Prior to the ceremony, Charles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kimberly Hill told The Bay Net she was pleased with the use of North Point High School (NPHS) as the venue for all six of the county’s graduations. Acknowledging there had been some concern expressed by parents and students about using a rival school for the ceremony, Hill, who previously served as NPHS principal, noted that school officials had made sure the proper school colors were on display for each separate ceremony. She was also lavish in her praise of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in handling traffic for the events.

Prior to this year, most of Charles County’s graduations were held at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com