Northwestern HS Graduation May 31, 2024 9am

≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫> CAPTIONING IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: VPZ DIGITAL. ≫> ≫> ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ INTO ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫ ≫> GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE. MY NAME IS NKENGE S. BARKER, PRINCIPAL OF NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. WE ARE HERE TODAY FOR THE ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM. WE ARE ALMOST READY TO BEGIN THE PROCESSIONAL, BUT BEFORE WE DO, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SOLICIT THE COOPERATION OF OUR AUDIENCE DURING TODAY'S PROGRAM. WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD WITH OUR GRADUATES TO CONVEY TO THEM THE DIGNITY THAT A COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE. I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR IN A MINUTE. WE ARE SOLICITING THE COOPERATION OF OUR AUDIENCE WITH TODAY'S PROGRAM TO KEEP UNNECESSARY NOISE TO A MINIMUM THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY. WE ESPECIALLY ASK THAT THERE BE NO NOISEMAKERS, WHISTLING, OR SCREAMING WHEN OUR STUDENTS ARE PRESENTING. NOISEMAKERS IN THE FORM OF AIR HORNS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ANYONE USING AN AIRHORN WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE ARENA. IN ADDITION, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM STANDING IN THE SEATS. A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER WILL PHOTOGRAPH EACH GRADUATE AS HE/SHE RECEIVES A DIPLOMA THESE PICTURES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, YOUR GRADUATES WILL EXIT THE BUILDING THROUGH THE LOADING DOCK AFTER PICKING UP THEIR DIPLOMA. ONCE THEY EXIT, THERE WILL BE NO RE-ENTRY INTO THE BUILDING. YOUR GRADUATE WILL MEET YOU AT YOUR PARKING LOCATION AS NEITHER PARENTS NOR GRADUATES WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO YOUR CAR BY WALKING THROUGH THE BUILDING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THESE MATTERS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP WITH BRINGING DIGNITY TO THIS COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION. ♫ ≫["POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE" PLAYING] ♫ ♫ ♫ ≫["POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE" PLAYING] ♫ ♫ ♫ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♫ ♫ ≫["POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE" PLAYING] ♫ ♫ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] SGT. WILSON: PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLAYING OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. GENTLEMEN, PLEASE REMOVE YOUR CAPS O SAY, CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS, THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT, O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING? AND THE ROCKETS' RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR, GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE. O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE? [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ≫ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU MAY NOW BE SEATED. MS. COX: GOOD MORNING. I AM MS. PATRICIA COX, SENIOR CLASS ADMINISTRATOR, AND I HAVE THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING THE MEMBERS OF THE PLATFORM. TO MY RIGHT: PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 3, MS. PAMELA BOOZER STROTHER LISA HOWELL, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DR. CARLETTA T. MARROW AREA 3 ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT MS. NICOLE ISLEY MCCLURE, AREA 3 INSTRUCTIONAL DIRECTOR, CLUSTER 10 TO MY LEFT: MS. NKENGE S. BARKER, PRINCIPAL, NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL NEBEYU TSEHAY, VALEDICTORIAN SAMIRA MUSTAPHA, SALUTATORIAN AND STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TOMAS MEKONNEN, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY PRESIDENT BIANCA FUENTES- ROSALES, SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT JASMINE HAWKINS- IRAHETA, SENIOR CLASS VICE PRESIDENT KIMBERLY MELGAR, SECRETARY EMARTU MUNU, TREASURER ROXANE FRANCE- WOODS, SENIOR CLASS PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR CHRISTINE MALDEIS, SENIOR CLASS PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR CRYSTAL BROWNLEE, 2024 SENIOR CLASS SPONSOR APPLAUSE] ≫ THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. SAMIRA MUSTAPHA IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES FROM TOGO, WEST AFRICA IN 2013. SHE HAD BEEN AN ESOL STUDENT, AND NOW PROUDLY GRADUATING FROM THE ACADEMY OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE PROGRAM WITH TWO CERTIFICATIONS: ONE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND THE OTHER IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP. SAMIRA ALSO HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE 2023-2024 PRESIDENT OF NORTHWESTERN'S STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE PRINCE GEORGE'S REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS. IN ADDITION, SHE IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE PEER FORWARD BASE TEAM AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE MATH HONOR SOCIETY. GRADUATING AT 16, SAMIRA INTENDS ON PURSUING HER POST-SECONDARY DEGREE MAJORING IN AN AREA IN STEM AND BUSINESS WITH A MINOR IN LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY. SAMIRA ASPIRES TO BECOME AN AI PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST OR ADVISOR AS SHE BELIEVES THE LAW IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL THINGS. IF YOU CAN IMPACT LAW, YOU CAN IMPACT LIVES. SAMIRA IS INSPIRED BY HER PARENTS WHO KEPT DRIVING HER AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED HER AS SHE EMBARKS ON NEW CHAPTERS IN HER LIFE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE. WELCOME OUR 2024 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL SALUTATORIAN, SAMIRA MUSTAPHA. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] GOOD MORNING ESTEEMED GUESTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND MY FELLOW CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATES. I HAVE THE IMMENSE HONOR OF STANDING BEFORE YOU TODAY AS THE SALUTATORIAN OF THE CLASS OF 2024. *WHEW* WE DID IT, Y'ALL. 21 CREDITS AND 24 SERVICE HOURS. THOSE NUMBERS REPRESENT THE JOURNEY WE'VE TAKEN TO ARRIVE AT THIS MOMENT. ON PAPER, IT SEEMS STRAIGHT -FORWARD. BUT BETWEEN EACH CREDIT AND EACH HOUR, LIES YOUR STORY FULL OF FAILURES UNPREDICTABLE CHALLENGES, AND SUCCESSES. FRESHMAN YEAR, WE SAT IN THE SHADOWS OF OUR ROOMS, ILLUMINATED BY THE BLINDING LIGHT OF OUR CHROMEBOOKS TRYING TO BEAT THOSE 11:59 DEADLINES; ONLY TO SLEEP THROUGH 1ST PERIOD THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC DISRUPTED OUR ROUTINES, DESTROYED OUR PLANS, AND FORCED US TO ADAPT TO A NEW METHOD OF LEARNING. SOPHOMORE YEAR, WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO STEP INTO THE HALLS OF NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL, AND WERE LATE TO EVERY SINGLE CLASS BECAUSE NOBODY KNEW HOW TO FIND THEIR CLASSROOM. BUT WE GOT THAT DOWN IN A WEEK. OH WAIT?! WHAT ABOUT THOSE 24 HOURS? OKAY, LET'S GO PLANT SOME TREES WITH ECO CLUB, CLEAN UP OUR TEACHER'S CLASSROOM, AND TEACH SOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING THE SUMMER. NOW, I REFUSE TO STAND UP HERE AND TELL YOU AN IDEALIZED VERSION OF OUR EXPERIENCES BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH QUITE A LOT. AND LET'S BE REAL, SOME ACTIVITIES WERE ONLY DONE SO WE COULD CHECK OFF THE COMMUNITY- SERVICE BOX AND PROCEED TO THE NEXT TASK ON THE LIST OF THINGS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE (NO SHAME THOUGH). EXAMS, ESSAYS, FINALS, PROJECTS, MEETINGS, GAMES, PERFORMANCES; A POOL OF DAUNTING TASKS THAT SEEMED TO BE NEVER-ENDING. ON TOP OF THAT, WE DEALT WITH CONFLICTS WITH ADULTS, AMONGST OURSELVES, AND WITHIN OURSELVES. BUT THROUGH IT ALL, WE EMERGED STRONGER THAN EVER. TODAY, WE STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR LIVES. WE'VE FORMED BONDS, MADE MEMORIES (SOME WE'D RATHER FORGET), MADE MISTAKES, EXPERIENCED TRIUMPHS, AND ULTIMATELY LEARNED INVALUABLE LESSONS THAT WILL GUIDE US AS WE EMBARK INTO THE WORLD BEYOND NORTHWESTERN. I WANT TO THANK SOME EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE WHO WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SHAPING THESE LAST 4 YEARS. MS. HENDRICKS, OUR NORTHWESTERN SGA ADVISOR, AND MR. MOODY, OUR COUNTY SGA ADVISOR; BOTH OF WHOM ADVOCATE FOR US EVEN WHEN WE DON'T KNOW IT. THANK YOU TO MRS. SIMS AND MS. JACKSON, OUR BUSINESS ACADEMY EDUCATORS. THANK YOU TO OUR SENIOR TEAM, MRS. COX, MS. BROWN- LEE, MS. PASCHAL, MRS. FRANCE-WOODS, AND MRS. MALDEIS. TO THE NORTHWESTERN ADMINISTRATION TEAM AND PRINCIPAL BARKER, THANK YOU; AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] PRINCIPAL BARKER, ON CLOSING OUT YOUR FIRST SCHOOL YEAR AS CAPTAIN OF OUR SHIP. TO OUR DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE TEACHERS, WE CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH. AND, I WANT TO THANK YOU. ! OUR SGA, PEER FORWARD, VPA, BUSINESS ACADEMY; ALL OUR INCREDIBLE SCHOLARS AND LEADERS. WHEN I CAME HERE FROM TOGO, A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES OPENED UP FOR ME. SO, NATURALLY, I HAD A NEW DREAM CAREER EVERY WEEK. UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T BE A LAWYER-DOCTOR -PRESIDENT-ENGINEER -SINGER AND ACTRESS ALL AT ONCE. BUT DESPITE ALL THESE OPTIONS THE ONE OPTION MY PARENTS NEVER PRESENTED ME, WAS GIVING UP . SO TO MY PARENTS, [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR INSTILLING IN ME FIRE AND RESILIENCE. FINALLY, I WANT TO THANK MY LITTLE BROTHER. HE TAUGHT ME JOY, PATIENCE, AND LOVE LIKE NO OTHER. ALTHOUGH HE'S NO LONGER HERE, HIS HEART BEATS IN MY CHEST EVERY DAY, I HEAR HIS LAUGHTER IN MY HEAD; AND AS LONG AS I LIVE, SO WILL HIS MEMORY. HE'LL NEVER GET TO WALK ACROSS A STAGE. SO AS I WALK TODAY, I WALK FOR HIM AND WITH HIM. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] 21 CREDITS. 24 SERVICE HOURS. SMALL NUMBERS, WITH BIG STORIES BEHIND THEM. BUT IN REALITY, THIS IS ONLY ONE CHAPTER OF OUR LIVES. THAT'S WHY I'M NOT GOING TO SAY “YOU'VE MADE IT. WE FAILED, WE FACED CHALLENGES, AND WE SUCCEEDED. WE WILL FAIL AGAIN WE WILL FACE MORE CHALLENGES, BUT WE WILL SUCCEED TIME AFTER TIME CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2024! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE STORIES WE WRITE THANK YOU. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ≫ THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW HAVE A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY THE CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA. ♫ [ SINGING ] ♫ [ APPLAUSE ] ≫ THANK YOU. BEFORE WE HAVE OUR OFFICIAL REMARKS. WE HAVE THE DISTRICT STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD WHO IS HERE FOR DISTRICT 3. [ APPLAUSE ] I GIVE THE FLOOR TO DR. HOWELL. [ APPLAUSE ] GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE. AS WE GATHER HERE TO CELEBRATE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, WE ARE REMINDING OF THE JOURNEY THAT BROUGHT US TO THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION. YOU BEGAN YOUR CAREER IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY AND CHALLENGE AND NAVIGATING YOUR JOURNEY WITH RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION. YOU LEARNED HOW TO SHARE YOUR SCREEN, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY YOUR STRENGTH, PERSEVERANCE AND KINDNESS. THE CRISIS WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED GAVE US A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO FOCUS ON THE WORLD FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND CHALLENGE THE QUESTIONS OF WHAT WE VALUE AND WHAT TRULY MATTERS IN LIFE. SOMETIMES WE MUST LET GO OF OUR PRECONCEIVED NOTION AND ADAPT TO A LIFE BEFORE US. YOUR DAY IS A SYMBOL OF YOUR DETERMINATION. YOU HAVE EARNED A TOTAL OF $6 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIP MONEY. THAT IS AWESOME. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALL OF OUR MOTHERS, FATHERS, GRANDFATHER, GRANDMOTHER, AUNT, UNCLE, TO ALL THE MEMBERS WHO SHOWED YOU AND EACH SHOWED UP TO MAKE SURE YOU REACHED THIS DAY TO WALK ACROSS THIS STAGE. [ APPLAUSE ] AS YOU STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW WORLD OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES, REMEMBER THAT CHALLENGES WILL COME YOUR WAY. YOU WILL GET KNOCKED DOWN, BUT WHAT TRULY MATTERS IS THAT YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE TO STAND UP AGAIN. AS YOU GRADUATE TODAY, CARRY WITH IT THE LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED, THE FRIENDSHIPS YOU HAVE MADE, AND THE MEMORIES YOU HAVE CREATED. EMBRACE THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE BEFORE YOU WITH COURAGE, DETERMINATION AND A BELIEF IN YOURSELF. MAY YOUR FUTURES BE FILLED WITH SUCCESS HAPPINESS AND ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2024. [ APPLAUSE ] NEBEYU TSEHAY WAS BORN IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA. HE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. ALTHOUGH HE HAD SOME TROUBLE ADJUSTING AT FIRST, HE EVENTUALLY GOT USED TO THE AMERICAN LIFESTYLE. NEBEYU LOVES COMPUTERS AND WILL STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK. A FAMOUS QUOTE THAT HE LIVES BY IS “IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU GO AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT STOP” -CONFUCIOUS. THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HIS LIFE IS HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO TAUGHT HIM THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMILITY, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE 2024 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN, NEBEYU TSEHAY! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PROUD PARENTS, AND GRADUATES OF THE CLASS OF 2024, AS I STAND HERE TODAY, I FEEL A SENSE OF PRIDE AND GRATEFULNESS TO BE SELECTED AS THE VALEDICTORIAN OF THIS GRADUATING CLASS. WE HAVE WALKED IN THE HALLS OF NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS AND CREATED LIFELONG MEMORIES. NOW AS WE ARE ABOUT TO GRADUATE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF OUR LIVES. FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT TO THANK ALMIGHTY GOD FOR GUIDING ME THROUGH THESE PAST 4 YEARS AND GIVING ME THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] SECOND, I WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS, SISTER, AUNT, UNCLE, AND ENTIRE FAMILY FOR THEIR LOVE, SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE. I WANT TO THANK MY GRANDMA WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN MY LIFE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL MY TEACHERS AND MEN TORS FOR GIVING ME VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS. TO MY FELLOW CLASSMATES GRADUATING TODAY, CONGRATULATIONS! TODAY IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN OUR LIVES. IT IS ONE THAT WE WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE. ALL OF US HAVE OVERCOME CERTAIN OBSTACLES AND DIDN'T BACK DOWN WHEN WE FACED CHALLENGES. ALL OF US HAVE FORGED STRONG FRIENDSHIPS AND LEFT OUR MARK ON THE SCHOOL. EVERYONE HAS BROUGHT SOMETHING UNIQUE TO THIS CLASS AND WE HAVE CREATED A STRONG COMMUNITY OUR JOURNEY HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN EASY, BUT DESPITE WHATEVER DOUBTS THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN, WE ARE HERE, READY TO GET OUR DIPLOMAS. THIS MILESTONE IS ONE THAT WE SHOULDN'T TAKE FOR GRANTED. ALL THE LATE- NIGHT WORK AND STUDIES HAVE ENABLED US TO GRADUATE. EVERY ONE OF US HAVE GAINED FUN MEMORIES DURING OUR TIME AT NORTHWESTERN. WE HAVE ENJOYED THE NUMEROUS EVENTS THAT WERE ORGANIZED. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO JOIN VARIOUS CLUBS AND EXTRACURRICULARS. OUR TEACHERS, WHO HAVE BEEN THE PILLARS OF OUR EDUCATION, ALSO DESERVE RECOGNITION FOR THEIR WORK. THEY HAVE HELPED US IN OUR ACADEMIC ENDEAVORS AND REACH OUR POTENTIAL. SO, TO ALL NORTHWESTERN TEACHERS, THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] AS WE PREPARE TO START THIS NEW JOURNEY, WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THE LESSONS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED DURING OUR TIME AT NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. THESE EXPERIENCES WILL HELP US BUILD A BETTER SOCIETY. ALL OF US SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH. WE SHOULD ALSO REMEMBER THAT WHENEVER WE FACE CHALLENGES WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE STRONG MENTALITY THAT WE HAD WHEN WE WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL. THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE SHOULDN'T BREAK US DOWN BUT RATHER MAKE US STRONGER. WE SHOULD ALSO NEVER FORGET THE COMMUNITY WHICH HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. AS WE ARE GETTING READY TO BUILD BETTER FUTURES FOR OURSELVES WE SHOULD ALSO PLAN TO HELP OUT OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S INSANE TO THINK HOW WE ENTERED HIGH SCHOOL AS KIDS AND NOW WE ARE LEAVING AS FULL-GROWN ADULTS. WHEN WE WERE FRESHMEN WE BARELY HAD ANY IDEAS ABOUT THE THINGS THAT THE FUTURE WOULD HOLD FOR US. BUT NOW WE'RE ABLE TO SEE THAT EVERYTHING HAS WORKED OUT FOR THE BETTER. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ABOUT TO START OUR NEW LIVES WE OUGHT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT IN IT ALONE. WE HAVE OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO ALWAYS HELP, GUIDE, AND GIVE US STRENGTH THROUGHOUT ALL OUR ENDEAVORS. IN CONCLUSION, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE FAMILIES WHO ARE HERE TODAY FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND POSITIVE INFLUENCE WHICH HAS HELPED YOUR CHILDREN GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024 AND THANK YOU. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, ESTEEMED FACULTY, PROUD PARENTS, AND THE REMARKABLE GRADUATING CLASS OF NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL, WE GATHER HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS. EACH ONE OF YOU HAS DEMONSTRATED IMMENSE DEDICATION, RESILIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE TO REACH THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT IN YOUR LIVES. AS YOU FACE THE JOURNEY AHEAD, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SET GOALS, BE RESILIENT, AND UNLEASH YOUR POWER AS YOU EMBRACE THIS WORLD. AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, REMEMBER, ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST TALENT; IT REQUIRES SETTING AMBITIOUS GOALS AND PUSHING BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE. I CHALLENGE YOU TO WALK A PATH THAT IGNITES YOUR PASSION AND INSPIRES YOU TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS. ALONG THE WAY, YOU WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ENCOUNTER OBSTACLES AND SETBACKS. BUT IT IS DURING THESE MOMENTS OF CHALLENGE THAT YOUR RESILIENCE WILL TRULY SHINE. BE BOLD IN THE FACE OF THESE ADVERSITIES, AND LET EVERY EXPERIENCE FUEL YOUR DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED. EACH OF YOU POSSESSES A UNIQUE SET OF SKILLS. AS YOU VENTURE FORTH INTO THE WORLD, GRADUATES, LET YOUR TALENTS ROAR WHETHER YOU EXCEL IN ACADEMICS, ARTS, ATHLETICS, OR ANY OTHER PURSUIT, EMBRACE YOUR STRENGTHS AND USE THEM TO CARVE OUT YOUR PATH IN LIFE. BUT REMEMBER, TRUE SUCCESS IS NOT JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT; IT'S ALSO ABOUT HOW YOU USE YOUR TALENTS TO DEVELOP AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS AND SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO UPLIFT OTHERS AND TO SERVE, BEING AGENTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR COMMUNITIES. I AM REMINDED OF THE TALENTED, NOBEL PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ, WHO WAS A PIONEER IN THE MOVEMENT OF LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE; HE PROMOTED THE DISCOVERY OF INTERNATIONAL AUTHORS OUTSIDE OF THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES. HE CHANGED THE FUTURE FOR LATIN AMERICAN AUTHORS AND SHINED A LIGHT ON TALENTED PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE. NORTHWESTERN IS A TAPESTRY OF DIVERSITY, A REFLECTION OF THE RICH FABRIC OF THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE. IN OUR HALLS, STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO LEARN, GROW, THRIVE, AND FOSTER A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY VOICE IS HEARD AND VALUED. MUCH LIKE GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ, I URGE YOU TO CARRY THE SPIRIT OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. AS YOU BID FAREWELL TO THE FAMILIAR HALLS OF OUR SCHOOL, REMEMBER THAT CULTIVATING GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS , BEING OPEN TO GIVING AND RECEIVING, BEING COMMITTED TO ACHIEVEMENT , AND STAYING RESILIENT WILL GIVE YOU THE POWER TO SHAPE YOUR OWN DESTINY. CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! LET YOUR TALENTS ROAR. THE FUTURE IS YOURS FOR THE TAKING [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] I NOW INVITE THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO THE PODIUM. PRINCIPAL BARKER: NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL IS AN ACCREDITED MEMBER OF THE MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. I, NKENGE S. BARKER AND PAMELA BOOZER - STROTHER, BOARD MEMBER, HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THESE STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THE COURSES REQUIRED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND HAVE MET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. BY THE POWERS VESTED IN ME, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, AND THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION........... I DECLARE THIS CLASS OF 2024 TO BE GRADUATES FROM NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ≫ "AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS " [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] MS. COX: CLASS OF 2024 PLEASE STAND. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] GRADUATES PLEASE TURN YOUR TASSELS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] THE CLASS WILL NOW SING THE ALMA MATER. ♫ ♫ [ SINGING ] ♫ ♫ ONCE A WILDCAT, ALWAYS A WILDCAT!!!!! * GRADUATES, PLEASE WAIT FOR YOUR LINE TO WALK OUT,