With friends and family in the audience and a sky without rain, the seniors of W. T. Woodson High School became the latest alumni during graduation ceremonies last Thursday at Robinson Secondary.
Speakers related themes of excitement and anticipation of the future ahead, despite having just lived through Sept. 11, Code Orange, a war in Iraq, and anthrax and sniper scares.
"A lesser class would have fallen into whining of complaining. But the best of the Class of 2003 brought out the best in all of us, and for this we salute you," said Woodson principal Robert Elliott.
In her charge to the class, Woodson student Rachel Kaplan urged students to keep their eyes on the future.
"As we go forth today, everything that has affected us will be carried with us as we each go our own route," said Kaplan. "... The future will always be full of goals, no matter how old we are. So keep dreaming, using the future as your guide ... It's OK not to know exactly where you are going and how you'll get there. If we live for now, the rest will follow."
Graduation speaker Paul Trayers, father of graduating senior Emily Trayers, encouraged graduates to learn about the world around them, to protect themselves by not sharing themselves with others too freely and too soon and to forgive others. He also said if graduates decide to protest for a cause, they should do so meaningfully.
Trayers, a Vietnam veteran, dedicated his remarks to an unknown North Vietnamese soldier who saved some women in a village he had fought in.
"Expose yourself to new ideas. Open your mind. Open your heart," said Trayers.
"All hearts mend, except for two," said Trayers, speaking about mercy. "Those that are cold, and those that cannot give ... But most importantly, I would give you the sublime heart of forgiveness."
The ceremony included several mentions of Alexander Atanasov, who was killed in a car accident earlier this spring. Woodson presented Atanasov's family an honorary degree for their son.
"You can't take Alex's presence away in our hearts, souls and minds," said Woodson graduating senior Jay Grimes, who introduced Paul Trayers.
Despite the moments of reflection and solemnity, once the diplomas were given out, cheers and applause reverberated through the auditorium.
"It's wonderful. It's like an adrenaline rush to me," said science department chair Dianne Goins, as she was waiting for the ceremony to commence. "Seeing them get this far, it's a great day."