Mikael Mulatu waves to the crowd as the class of 2014 exits the building. Photo by Veronica Bruno.
"I feel amazing," began Aaron Jenkins, the commencement speaker for Robert E. Lee High School. He then proceeded to take a selfie from the stage with the more than 350 seniors in the background. Jenkins thanked all the families, friends, and significant others who helped the graduates get to this moment. He told the audience of eager graduates, "I see the world when I look at you," and urged them to wear their robes and caps all day long in celebration. Jenkins, the program director of Operation Understand D.C., asked the captive audience "who are you? Who do you want to be? Make a choice, choose the road, and keep standing out."
Student speakers recalled their first food fight, pep rallies, and the multiple snow days in the last year. But above all, the friends are the things they'll miss the most from the class of 2014. The class president Vincent Zhao said goodbye to the school and handed his marshal baton to the next generation. Benjamin Lobo gave the graduate address and as the Grand March by Clare Grundman played, the new graduates exited the Patriot Center towards the next phase in their lives.