Broad Run Principal Edgar Markley took time during Monday's graduation ceremony to recognize a remarkable family: the Lawlors.
Andy Lawlor is the ninth Broad Run graduate in the family — a notable achievement in today's constantly shifting school boundary lines.
"This is not just any family," Markley said as they lined the stage behind him at the Patriot Center.
Between them, they have played 78 seasons of football, wrestling, baseball, basketball and more. They have three class presidents, one class vice president, two prom kings and one current Broad Run teacher.
And there's more to come. Another Lawlor, Casey, will be in the graduating Class of 2009.
The Lawlors' appearance was one of several highlights at the ceremony, which also was a special moment for Superintendent Edgar Hatrick, a former principal at eastern Loudoun's oldest high school.
Hatrick remembered being on the first slate of staff for Broad Run 36 years ago.
"I remember all the dreams we had of the future," he told the graduates. "You may be the group that comes as close to perfection as a class that we have ever known."
THERE ARE 364 graduates in the Class of 2005. An impressive 89 percent are heading to two- or four-year colleges, with another 4.5 percent going into military service — an announcement that had friends and family cheering in the stands.
Phillip Hoegel won the school's annual contest to give the commencement address. He reminded his fellow graduates of how Broad Run has claimed a place in each heart.
"Who would have thought that four years would go by so quickly?" he said. "Who would have thought that a 36-year-old school would feel like home?"
He concluded with this lesson: "Everyone who is here is as successful as a 17- or 18-year-old can be. This is the key to life — to never forget this feeling of success."
Keynote speaker Karolyn D. Young is a director of the Advanced Programs Division at Aerospace Corporation, a space exploration research company.
"Each of you is a lot like a diamond, rare and valuable," Young told the graduates. "Each of you is valued in a different way."
While diamonds are measured on four scales — carats, clarity, color and cut. Young urged the graduates to measure themselves in five ways: character, competence, communication, clarity of vision and choices.
"Your all-night party theme is true: it's a jungle out there," Young said. "But you, Spartans, can thrive."