News: Freedom Graduates a Giving Class

Special to VivaLoudoun via Loudoun County Public Schools

(June 22, 2011) - Freedom High School Principal Christine Forester noted that the achievements of the Class of 2011 were better described by the acts of their hearts than by any statistical measure.

“The back of your senior T-shirt says ‘One Class, One Heart.' That's what the Class of 2011 is; it's one class with one heart. As you leave us at Freedom High School, reflect on your special moments; hold them in your heart so they are just the beginning of all the special moments in your life.”


Freedom High School graduated 401 seniors at its fifth commencement on Friday, June 17th, at George Mason University's Patriot Center.

While heart defined this class, its statistics were equally impressive:

· 308 received an Advanced Studies diploma;

· 95 percent are going on to post-secondary education;

· 57 seniors graduated with a 4.0 or better grade point average (GPA);

· 200 seniors were on the Honor Roll for at least the first three quarters of this year and earned an academic letter or bar this year;

· The Class of 2011 earned $2,648,920 in scholarships.

J. Hamilton Lambert, the executive director of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, said that the graduates now enter an uncertain world, and that this wasn't a bad thing.

“Neither you nor I have any idea of what your future is going to be. And to be honest with you, if we did, it wouldn't be any fun…

“The life you're entering tonight is not going to be a straight line, but rather, like the song says, it's going to be a long and winding road. Where that road takes you only you, only you, can determine.”

Lambert said he's had more than 40 job titles since he graduated from Loudoun County High School a half century ago and that he could have never foreseen the opportunities and challenges life has set before him.

Whatever awaited them, Lambert urged the graduates to maintain the feeling they were no doubt feeling that evening.

“You'll start your new life – this is a new life once you graduate – full of strength and optimism; never forget that, keep it with you always. You will, without question, face decisions you never dreamed of….Solicit opinions, make a decision and move on; don't procrastinate.

“You will find out that you are not as smart, pretty, perfect or any of those things that you think you are. That's OK, just keep moving forward.

“You'll make mistakes; some big, some small. That's OK. Try not to repeat them.

“You'll be happy at times, like tonight…You will be sad…and you're going to be depressed. Force yourself to be happy. Force yourself to be optimistic. Force yourself to pick yourself up and keep going. Always remember that sadness and depression do nothing but weaken you. Stay strong…

“Don't let anybody define what a winner is. You'll know it in your heart. That's the only place you have to. You're going to have opportunities for success you can't imagine. Make the best of them.”

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick III talked about the opportunities the graduates had already seen placed before them.

“You have been the beneficiary of an excellent school system in a community that supports its public schools and, more important, supports its young people. All across America, the unfortunate story is being told of schools and school districts that are having to dismantle the kinds of programs that allow you to excel…

“You weren't confronted with that. Your high school education occurred in Loudoun County, where the citizens of the county understand the value of investing in you and the value of giving you all the opportunities and tools you need to go from this place and lead your lives...

“I want you to do this for me, wherever you may go – whether you come back to Loudoun or move someplace else – please keep in mind that the young people of every community in America should have the opportunities that you have had. This is not about political parties, it's not about economic philosophies, it's about one simple truth: the best investment a society can make is in its young people. It's the only way we can ensure both the ongoing continuity of our country and also that it will be a better place than it is now.

“So wherever you wind up, make a commitment to make that place as good as the place you lived during your school years. If you do, you will be giving back a gift that has limitless value.”

Valedictorian Nicholas Montgomery was the first Freedom student to score a perfect 2400 on the SAT. He shared some wisdom not found on a standardized test.

“Adulthood is now upon us. Life will be dominated by our choices. We'll have countless decisions to make in the coming years and making the right decisions will not always be easy. Keep in mind students, we won't have somebody to remind us each day, make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.

“Instead, focus on the simple idea of legacy. You will always be remembered, not for what you were able to do for yourselves, but what you were able to do for others. Therefore, be selfless and humble, always seeking the betterment of those around you.”

The Class of 2011 salutatorian was Shannon O'Toole.

Forester recognized students that had received college scholarships. These students included:

· Raghav Acharya

· Julie Agace

· Neha Bhanot

· Stephanie Blankers

· Peter Burnham

· Patrick Carnes

· Ashanie Dorleans

· Jenna Flanigin

· Kimberly Flores

· Michael Fong

· Bradlee Garant

· Megan Gluck

· Katherine Graves

· James Hancock

· Brendon Holl

· Jawaid “Joey” Hamidzada

· Sarah Hong

· Shannon Hough

· Jenny Huh

· Glenn Jenkins

· Matthew Johnson

· Alexis Jones

· Ah Hyun “Helen” Kim

· Anisha Kolla

· Victoria “Tori” Kramer

· Nick Lambert

· Christian Lanzaro

· Brent Law

· Ciara Laws

· Lina Lee

· Anuraag Mattapally

· Johnathan Maza

· Benja McDowell

· Molly McGrady

· Darrius McMillian

· Alicia Min

· Morgan Mines

· Nicholas Montgomery

· Matthew Murphy

· Elizabeth Musick

· Sarah Nuckolls

· Christiana Omland

· Erwin Pe

· Katie Plourde

· Christopher Schemmel

· Sam Scolarici

· Vikranth “Vik” Sivakumar

· James Smidt

· Christian Squire

· Linnea Thomas

· Victoria Thomas

· Cristine Thomas-Miranda

· Justin Toelle

· Kelsey Townsend

· Ngan Tran

· Shanel Tsuda

· Erica Whittaker

· Sharita Williams

“Thank you for sending us your best and your brightest,” said Forester. “We appreciate the support you have given us as we have worked to establish the Freedom learning community. You supported our athletic program and our fine arts program. You understood the importance of a fine, balanced education for your students and for our community.”

Attending the ceremony were School Board Vice Chairman Priscilla Godfrey (Blue Ridge District) and Tom Reed (At-Large).