LA PLATA, Md. — Westlake High School’s 303 members of the Class of 2026 graduated June 3, led by valedictorian Christopher Chubbs Jr. and salutatorian Bianca Lepe.
Lepe talked about strength and how she gains it from her family. This year, her family lost both grandmothers and Lepe’s older sister, Cristin, passed away in January. The family relied on each other.
“When I think of resilience and sacrifice for others, the first two things that come to my mind are my family and their love for each other.” The family’s struggles only strengthened its bonds. “Strength does not lead to an easier life,” Lepe said.
“Strength continues when life seems like it’s impossible to continue. Moving forward does mean you are leaving the people you love behind. Moving forward means you are carrying those people with you,” she continued.
Lepe’s experience with her sister’s illness led to her interest in studying medicine. She will major in molecular biology at the University of California, Davis, and plans to become a cardiologist.
The class valedictorian was Christopher Chubbs Jr. He earned the “full ride” Banneker/Key Scholarship to the University of Maryland, College Park, where he will study computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity.
Like Lepe, Chubbs gained strength from family, friends and Westlake staff. He urged his peers in the Westlake Class of 2026 to pursue their futures with confidence.
“I believe that each and every one of you are capable of being amazing,” Chubbs said. “And all our greatest paths have yet to be relieved. I ask that you believe in yourselves in the good and hard times.”
Westlake Principal Dana Fenwick said that the Class of 2026 is familiar with good and hard times.
“If we’re being honest, this class has been through it,” she said. The teens lived through a pandemic, leadership changes at school and social media pressure, on top of personal struggles.
“You all were not always easy,” she said. “You questioned authority, you tested limits, some of y’all treated deadlines as suggestions and mastered the phrase, ‘I was just about to do that.’”
Fenwick said that their stubbornness was tempered with resilience.
“You adapted; you survived chaos. And people who survive chaos usually become strong adults,” she said. “Real strength is not acting tough, it’s about accountability.”
She said that the class has shown its character and how its members show up for each other.
“I believe in this class,” Fenwick said. “I’ve seen you support each other, I’ve seen you overcome struggles that people never knew about. Because every graduate has a story and no matter where you started, look where you are now. Here — graduating. And that matters.”
“It is a great day to be a wolverine,” Chubbs said.
Westlake’s Class of 2026 earned more than $22 million in scholarship offers. CCPS graduations continue through Thursday, June 4, with La Plata High School graduating at 9 a.m. and St. Charles High School holding commencement at 1 p.m. To learn more about graduations, visit https://www.ccboe.com/parents/graduation-2026.