On Monday, June 6th the Show Place Arena was brimming with excitement as Westlake High School seniors strolled down the aisle. The commencement ceremony celebrated 333 graduates who were offered almost five million dollars in scholarship money.
Parents and family members could barely contain their excitement as shouts of “We love you!” and foghorns could be heard throughout the ceremony. The 2011 class motto is “Live for this moment, for this moment is your life.” The students embraced this whole heartedly as they clapped and cheered after Brittany Sewell, the Salutatorian and Asia Lamar, the Valedictorian, addressed the audience.
As the Westlake Choir sang, “Hero” by Mariah Carey many parents in the audience were visibly moved with emotion. All in attendance seem to embrace the significance of their accomplishments and the possibilities for their future.
Students laughed, danced, pumped their fists and called out as they received their diplomas in hand. All five County Commissioners, along with Delegate Sally Jameson were on hand to congratulate the graduates.
Kianna Harris, ranked number 18 in her class said she is on her way to Old Dominion to study business and finance. Kianna and her twin sister Kim are going to part ways because Kim is going to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to study physical therapy. Kianna said, “I am so excited for the future, but we have to give a special thanks to our parents.”
As the graduates poured out of the arena everyone was posing for pictures. Keith Williams said his son’s graduation was nice and all of his family came up from Hampton, Virginia to see their first grandson and great grandson graduate. “I had to stay on him with his school work. I feel blessed that he made it and I’m happy for him and for me!”
Graduate Deshaira Davis has immediate plans to attend a six-week summer academy at Coppin State to st
