The class of 2017 throws their graduation caps into the air to celebrate the end of the ceremony.
Fairfax — Students, along with their friends and families, filled Eagle Bank Arena
“When I look at the class of 2017, I’m positive, because I know we’re sending some of our finest Rams out into the world,”
— Matthew Eline, Robinson Secondary School principal
Thursday morning for Robinson Secondary School’s graduation ceremony for the class of 2017.
The Robinson Symphonic Band played as the graduating students took their seats, which was followed up with a performance of the National Anthem, formally marking the beginning of the graduation ceremony.
Two members of the SGA Executive Council, Claire Buckholz and Heather
Thomas, were the first speakers. Buckholz welcomed the families and thanked them for their support of the graduating class, which led to a warm round of applause. Thomas introduced the distinguished guests that were on stage including Robinson Secondary principal, Matthew Eline.
“His genuine interest and concern for the potential of each student has not gone overlooked,” said Thomas. “We are sincerely grateful for his efforts.”
Eline discussed how last year he had given the senior class a book on attitude. He highlighted five different points from the book including spreading positive energy, believing you can achieve your goals, being unafraid to take risks and more.
“A positive attitude can never be taken away from you,” he said.
After this he acknowledged the staff members that were Robinson Secondary graduates themselves, students with 4.0 GPAs, and IB Diploma candidates.
“When I look at the class of 2017, I’m positive, because I know we’re sending some of our finest Rams out into the world,” Eline said as he closed out his speech. “I am proud of you, class of 2017.”
The class of 2017 held a contest to determine who would be the student speaker at graduation. The winner was Gillian Hersh. She warmly reflected on her time at Robinson. Hersh told a story about how she started a countdown timer on her phone the first day of high school, and how that countdown is coming to an end.
“Our paths may be different, but our paths will be the same. We will all have a Lake Braddock graduate working for us one day,” she quipped, which was met with a bout of laughter from the audience.
After a rendition of “Take Me Home” was sung by the Robinson Singers and Select Women’s Ensemble, Donald Warter of the Senior Class Council introduced the Commencement Speaker, Bryan Hazard.
Hazard, coach of the state champion wrestling team at Robinson, spoke about a number of the great memories the staff had with the graduating class. He pondered as to where the time had gone from when parents brought their child to their first day of school, to the present where they have accomplished so much.
“The world renowned poet Kanye West once said in his song ‘Homecoming:’ you reach for the stars so if you fall, you land on a cloud,” said Hazard. “And you guys definitely reach for the stars.”
SGA Executive Council member Nam Hyun Kim expressed her gratitude for the teachers at Robinson, asking them to stand and be recognized. Senior Class Principal Scot Turner took over the microphone to present the faculty award, the winner of which is voted on by the Robinson faculty. The award goes to someone who represents Robinson with honor and distinction, and the winner was none other than Nam Hyun Kim.