Waldorf, MD – One of the largest graduating classes in Charles County took the stage at North Point High School Friday May 29 when the Westlake High School Wolverines held commencement ceremonies for 354 seniors.

Westlake Principal Chrystal P. Benson asked her graduating seniors why today is a special day.

“Because I’m here,” the seniors responded in unison.

“You’re absolutely right, seniors,” Benson said. “Because you’re here. You are here because you’ve persevered, perseverance which keeps you from giving up. Anyone can run that first mile, but that second mile is never crowded. The race is not won by the swift and strong, but by the person who endures to the very end. You are winners already,” she added, noting that seniors have garnered more than $10 million in scholarships, have a graduation rate of 99 percent and the graduates include 36 members who have committed to enlisting in the U.S. military.

“All of you are leaders,” Benson stated. “In life, you will have to determine what your focus is and put all your efforts into action.

“The worst question you can ever ask is the one you never ask,” Benson said.

Georgia Edna-Elaine Benson, senior class president for 2015 Wolverines, will attend George Washington University in the fall.

“Excellence is the one that makes us exceptional and truly unforgettable,” Benson told her classmates. “Thirteen years ago, this journey started for all of us. One thing always stayed the same,” she added. “We were different than all the classes that came before us. We came from different schools, we had different hobbies, lived in different neighborhoods … it turned into something beautiful.

“We all have that one time from the last four years we can look back on as one of the best times of our lives,” Benson noted. “Within our class we have state champs in athletics and academics. There were a few bumps along the road, obstacles put in our way by others, some we created ourselves, but we never allowed those obstacles to keep us from reaching our potential.”

Salutatorian Maaria Masqood Chughtai told her classmates, “Whatever you decide to do, never settle for less. In fact, continue to push for more, because that’s what you guys deserve.”

“Discover yourselves in the next four years,” Chughtai said. “The hardest part for me is letting go of all the friends I made over the years. This is the last time we’ll be sitting together as an entire class, but that doesn’t mean you have to close the book entirely.”

Valedictorian Ricardo Jose Cardoza had one of the highest grade point averages of the entire class at 4.51. He will be attending University of Maryland-Baltimore County to study engineering. In addition to taking a photo with his cell phone from the podium, he received laughter from his classmates when he announced he loved his girlfriend.

“These last four years have been a great memory in the making,” Cardoza said. “To the pain and injury from sports I say thank you for making me stronger. Heartbreak, thank you for helping me to learn from my mistakes. Crowd of hallway slow walkers, thank you for building my patience. You have taught me what to expect on the next level.”

Cardoza said walking through the doors of Westlake “made me happy every day.”

“The only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself,” he said. “My friends, the world is ours, let’s take it.”

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com