Despite humidity and the looming chance of thunderstorms, members of Washington-Lee’s graduating class received their diplomas at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on the morning of June 23.
Three hundred and seventy-one students graduated; 78 received International Baccalaureate diplomas and there were 151 valedictorians.
When asked about her favorite high school memory, Gail Muggill replied, “The day I became swim team captain, it really meant a lot to me. I had known the coach for about nine years and had been on the team for the past four, so it was really special to me.”
Muggill plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and pursue a degree in Computer Science.
Muggill was among many other fellow graduates who plan to attend a military institution of higher learning. TR Sheehy ‘16 plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and pursue a degree in Naval architecture.
When asked if he was sad or happy to be graduating Sheehy replied, “I’m sad but really excited, I feel like I’ve gotten everything out of W-L that they could give me and I’m excited to bring that to the next four years of my life.”
Jordan Carter ‘16 discussed his favorite high school memory saying, “our senior experience the last few weeks of school. We had the opportunity to have internships and it was really cool.”
Carter plans to attend the University of Virginia and major in history.
The senior class speech was given by Adrian Matthews ‘16. Matthews addressed her fellow classmates telling them to make their lives count because you never want to take anything for granted.
Washington-Lee mathematics teacher and cross country coach Matt Pryzdzial addressed the students as well: “Be the reason someone smiles …. You will not be remembered based on the people you knock down, but by those who you lift up.”