As James Madison High School’s Class of 2004 graduated on Tuesday, June 15, seniors would no longer need to worry about getting hall passes to go to the bathroom or eating lunch at 10:20 a.m. Yet they were warned that they would be facing greater tests, such as the tests of one's character and generosity through both difficult and easy times.
"Will you do the right thing for the right reason?" asked social studies teacher Clark Young, one of the commencement speakers. "We've given you what we can, now you have to run well with it. Run well, run true, and run with passion."
In their send-off of the Class of 2004, Madison's commencement speakers urged graduates to find a passion, be grateful for the support given to them, and be responsible contributors to society. As the words reverberated through the Fairfax High School field house, where the graduation ceremony took place, happy parents, friends and family members took pictures and applauded their graduates.
"You're still ours, you know," Young joked at the beginning of his speech and before the conferring of diplomas.
DURING THIS year's ceremony, three teachers joined two students as graduation speakers. In addition to Young, social studies teachers Mark McGuire and Frank Franz urged the graduates to live their lives fully. McGuire asked the graduates to be the kind of people that deserve success, and Franz exhorted students to find a passion and explore it fully. That passion could be a job, family, religion or a hobby.
"You will have so many decisions you can't imagine. Use one of those decisions to find a passion," Franz said.
Graduating senior Mary Beth Brown urged her fellow classmates to have enthusiasm and a good attitude throughout life, while Colin Campbell thanked all the family and friends in the field house for supporting their seniors.
"We may be underdogs in many difficult situations. But with a positive attitude, we may deliver the punch," Mary Beth said.
Before the speeches, the Madison community heard a song written by graduating senior Kelly Marie Yauss, which she dedicated to the friendships and experiences she encountered at Madison and throughout her school-age life. Kelly and fellow graduating senior Paul Physioc performed the song, "Fly," to the packed auditorium.
Madison also presented awards to several seniors, honoring their contributions to the school. Caitlin Reilly and Andrew Waring received the Citizenship Award, and Mary Beth Brown was given the Faculty Award.
Once the speeches were finished and degrees were conferred, Colin Campbell summed up what he was feeling by quoting his grandmother.
"I want to live to be a hundred, or go out in a blaze of glory," Colin said.