Huntingtown High School’s (HHS) tenth graduation class has a tough act to follow. Graduate Alex Cooper alone, who showed a veteran performer’s stage presence with his high-energy rendition of Imagine Dragons’ “It’s Time,” has set the bar very high. The HHS Class of 2013 is the school’s ninth to graduate and Principal Rick Weber left no doubt during the Thursday afternoon, June 6 commencement exercise at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro that he is extremely proud of the 406 diploma recipients.
Weber noted the school’s significant accomplishments in academics, athletics, the arts and Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. The senior class accumulated a breathtaking $7 million in scholarship cash, Weber announced. The graduating seniors gave their principal much to brag about.“They volunteer thousands of hours,” said Weber. “They have an impressive work ethic. There’s no need to worry about our future scientists and engineers. I see them every day at Huntingtown High School.”
Class Salutatorian Taylor Rhoads used the school’s nickname—Hurricanes—as a metaphor in describing the graduates’ collective level of achievement. “When we entered high school we were a category one hurricane but with time we grew in strength,” said Rhoads. “I would not trade my high school experiences for anything.”
Class Valedictorian Zachary Johnson, who will attend Yale University in the fall, indicated he was ready for life after high school. “I know pursuing my passion will be my future,” said Johnson. “Not only do we care, we care enough to change things.”
In addition to Cooper’s well-received performance, the HHS Band, Orchestra and Chorus collaborated to render Bill Withers’ familiar “Lean on Me.” The HHS Senior Chamber Choir Members, accompanied by Cooper on guitar, sang Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” The HHS Senior Concert Choir Members sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” The band and orchestra ushered the Hurricane grads in with Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” and the chorus joined the musicians for the contemporary recessional, “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” from the 1980s movie “Dirty Dancing.”
The scheduled performers weren’t the only ones who sang. In her farewell address, Auburn University-bound Kelsey Harris, the senior class president, broke out into Vitamin C’s “Graduation.” Harris praised her parents, teachers and classmates. “In good times and bad we have supported each other,” said Harris. “The Huntingtown staff made Huntingtown High a great place to go to school.”
The class president declared HHS’ 2013 graduating class in many aspects “has exceeded expectations. If you can dream it, you can do it.”
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