It is well-known that the graduation ceremony is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated senior event at the end of the high school expedition. After four, steadfast years of pulling all-nighters, going on early-morning coffee runs, and having after-school rendezvous, the Class of 2024 will see themselves off in a cap and gown at Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 29th at 3:00 p.m..
Centennial math teacher Katie Carr is in charge of the ceremony management and organization process. The senior class consists of more than 200 students, all of whom need to be seated in the correct alphabetical order. Carr has “been a graduation coordinator or part of coordinating graduation for 12 years [and has] done it by [herself] for about 6 years.”
While most of the graduations she has organized have gone off without a hitch, Carr recalls a mishap on a day where it had been particularly windy. Seniors are typically told to look for their names on a piece of paper which will be placed on their seat at the pavilion. But several graduations ceremonies back, the wind had been so strong that the papers had all blown away. Carr now uses “three different types of tape for different weather conditions” as a precautionary measure.
While Carr and other staff members are busy preparing the technicalities and organization of the end-of-year ceremonies, the Class of 2024 is getting ready to say goodbye to what they have come to appreciate and cherish.
“I’ll mostly miss all the communities that I’ve been a part of like humanities, sports, and choir,” senior Julie Milinichik reminisced. “Not to forget all the friends I’ve made along the way, because they’ve really shaped me to be who I am now.”
Centennial High School has a plethora of student organizations, clubs and sports to partake in—a prospect students often look forward to when trying to find a personal passion amidst their academic upheavals. Milinichik added, “I’m also just looking forward to a new environment that will allow me to utilize what I’ve learned over the past four years to foster my passions at college.”
While some people will miss the friendships and camaraderie that have been created, others will miss the academic competition.
“I know it might take some people by surprise,” said senior Karis Lee, “but I’m actually going to miss the competitive atmosphere at Centennial. For me, it really helped me to push myself academically and prepare for college rigor.”
The academically competitive environment at Centennial has often been the topic of much student conversation and criticism. But Lee believes that the rigorous coursework and staff facilitation will help her in the long run.
“At the same time,” Lee concluded, “I’m also just looking forward to a new student community with different faces and all the career-oriented opportunities that come alongside college.”
Some students will pursue undergraduate degrees after high school, where others will be taking a path outside of college. But whether they go straight to university, trade school, community college, take a gap year, work a job, join the military or study abroad, Centennial will miss teaching students who are sure to excel in whatever they choose to pursue after graduation.
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