Waldorf, MD – North Point High School, the location where all high school graduations in Charles County were held this year, finally got to host its own commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 30 in Waldorf. The largest graduating class in the county at 505 seniors, precision planning made all the difference in keeping ceremonies running smoothly.
Nakira Christmas, senior class president, told her fellow graduates, “Look at us guys, we’re beautiful.
“Here at North Point, we learned to humble ourselves,” she said. “Study was a necessity in order to retain our test averages. We learned we had to personalize what we do so we could avoid impersonation. We are truly an open minded class. You all survived a bajillion finals, helped me get my keys out of my car … most importantly, we have shown we are spectacular as a class. We supported one another.
“Although we only had four years, we made it the best four years ever,” she added. “We empowered each other. We are truly the champions. We are good. I know we’re good. Good today, forever and always.”
“Today is an important day in all of our lives,” stated Laila Abujuma in her salutatory address. “It’s been an incredible, long journey. We are so excited to finally become seniors. We worked so hard at surpassing expectations. We are the first class in North Point history to graduate at 8:30 a.m. in the morning.
“Someone in this room is going to cure disease, play in the National Symphony Orchestra or fight for our freedom,” she added. “If you can dream it, you can do it.
“Fellow graduates, you leave here with all the knowledge you have learned in these halls,” Abujuma noted. “Be changed by it. Let it allow you to change the world.”
Valedictorian Salma Ansari had the highest academic rank of the class of 2015.
“We will always look back on these days,” Ansari said. “The world seemed so innocent and as children we were naive. It wasn’t until high school that we were exposed to the real world. Over these four years our class has bonded.
“Never settle for what you are not passionate about,” she stated.
Ansari added that the 2015 senior class has been awarded more than $18 million in scholarships, the most ever at North Point.
Principal Michael T. Simms told his seniors, he was grateful for their leadership.
“As you begin your next days of life, continue to use all of your talents to accomplish what you set out to do. Always strive to do your best. You have made your mark on the school, now it is time for you to make your mark on the world.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
