Although theirs was the smallest graduating class of Calvert County Public Schools’ four high schools, Patuxent’s 2013 graduates showed a huge swagger known as “Panther Pride.” The Patuxent High School (PHS) Class of 2013 received their diplomas Thursday evening, June 6 at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

“Look at all those things we’ve done together,” said Class Salutatorian Rachel C. Herzog, who is bound for Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina. “We now give serious thoughts of planning our own careers.” One would expect someone from a competitive, running family to use a racing reference and Herzog did just that when she told her classmates “this milestone is not a finish line. High school is big but life is bigger. Be proud but keep moving forward.”

Class Valedictorian Ronald Forster’s advice to his fellow grads was to “ask yourself, why not?” In a highly cerebral address, Forster, who will attend Cornell University in the fall, called the PHS Class of 2013 “the best ever” and referred to the Lusby school as “one of the top schools in the nation.”    

The musical selections during the ceremony were as eclectic as the PHS curriculum. Graduates Cameron Forrest, Morgan Taracatac and Blaine Becker performed Phillip Phillips’ acoustic hit “Home” while the PHS Music Department rendered “Go the Distance” from Disney’s “Hercules.” Graduate Elizabeth Inaba did a solo performance of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The PHS Music Department played Elgar’s familiar “Pomp and Circumstance” to march the graduates in to the arena and offered “1812 Overture” as the recessional.

“This is a new stage in your life,” PHS Principal Nancy Highsmith told the graduating class. “Always take with you memories and self-satisfaction of a job well done.”

While several of PHS latest graduates will hone those talents locally—at least 60 students have indicated they will be enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland this fall and 11 intend to study at the University of Maryland College Park—many others will have a longer journey. One student, Kelly Renee Reagan, has indicated Ritsumeiban University in Japan is where she’ll enroll. At least another 11 PHS grads are enlisting in the military—eight in the U.S. Army, two in the U.S. Marine Corps and one in the U.S. Air Force. Calvin Brooks Davies has indicated he will be a plebe at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com