News: Loudoun Valley Graduates Encouraged to Keep the Viking Spirit

Special to VivaLoudoun via Loudoun County Public School

(June 23, 2011) - The largest graduating class in the history of Loudoun Valley High School and Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) received their diplomas on Saturday, June 18th, in Leonard Stadium on the Loudoun Valley High School campus.

During the ceremony, the 558 graduates were repeatedly encouraged to continue their Viking spirit of adventure and courage in pursuing their life’s dreams.


Principal Susan Ross demonstrated that “Viking” courage on Saturday morning by deciding to hold the graduation event outside in spite of the looming dark clouds and prospect of rain. More than 2,000 parents, family and friends were very appreciative of her decision as the graduates were treated to a rain-free commencement.

In her welcoming speech Ross praised the class of 2011 for its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that served to improve the school and community. She noted the class’ giving of their time and energy to supporting area charities and people in other countries such as Haiti and Jamaica. She called attention to the 2011 Student Council, which received numerous awards, such as the prestigious 2011 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils.

Ross urged the graduates to continue their unselfish giving by quoting UCLA basketball legend John Wooden:

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” She concluded her remarks by reminding the graduates to continue to use their sense of Viking individuality and independent thinking in pursuing their future.

LCPS Deputy Superintendent Ned Waterhouse extended to the graduates the greetings and congratulations of Superintendent Dr. Edgar B. Hatrick III and the members of the LCPS senior staff, along with the thousands of school system employees.

Waterhouse encouraged the graduates to enthusiastically pursue their challenges and opportunities by first getting to know themselves and to “feel comfortable in their own skin.” He urged the graduates to have faith in themselves, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson; “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

Assistant Principal Vicki Dorsey Holstead commended the Class of 2011 for its outstanding accomplishments, noting the following statistics:
• 90 percent will pursue post-secondary education;
• 2 percent will join the military;
• 8 percent will seek employment or pursue other endeavors;
• The class has earned more than $1.6 million in scholarships and grants;
• 376 graduates (or 68 percent) have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 or better;
• 95 achieved a cumulative GPA of a 4.0 or better;

Holstead also recognized those students who were among the top 5 percent of the class. They are:
• Amy Armentrout
• Jessica Bramhall
• Jessica Carr
• Courtney Coombs
• Kara Crouse
• Oscar Deaver
• Michelle Delgado
• Isabelle Duerr
• Patrick Hall-Wurst
• Andrew Jones
• Campbell Keyser
• Sarah Klett
• Lauren Larison
• Ashley Lohr
• Caitlyn Loweth
• Lynne Lynch
• Susan Nelson
• Geoffrey Nichols
• Hayley Potts
• Danielle Psimas
• Kelsey Ryan
• Bridget Shayka
• Brooke Thomas
• Maxwell Van Vleet
• Tess Warner
• Brandon Wilson
• Charles Wolfe
• Dana Wood

Guidance Director LeeAnne Johnson introduced Isabelle Duerr and Michelle Delgado as co-salutatorians for Class of 2011. Duerr and Delgado both earned 4.61 GPA’s. Delgado will attend the University of Virginia and major in American Studies. Duerr plans to pursue a medical career beginning at the College of William and Mary.

Johnson then introduced Lauren Larison as valedictorian of the Class of 2011. Lauren graduated with a 4.64 GPA. She plans to attend Liberty University and study electrical engineering.

Larison begin her valedictory address by gratefully acknowledging the many blessing she and her fellow graduates have received; to live in the nation of freedoms, to have family and friends to surround and support us. She addressed her fellow graduates with a message of hope.

“The hope is within our power to choose. Our choices define us a people in critical ways that eventually create a memory and an end.”

Larison encouraged her classmates “to always reach as high as you can” … “Just think, if we have been stretched this far how much farther can we go?”

20th Judicial Circuit Judge Thomas D. Horne reminded the graduates of the “Viking” heritage of independence and adventure in his keynote speech. He commended the graduates on their many accomplishments and urged them to continue their life in a spirit of adventure. The father of two teachers,

Horne said one of the greatest adventures the graduates could undertake was becoming a teacher.
“I hope some of our graduates will decide to be educators... There is no greater contribution you can make.”

Horne also spoke about the paralyzing nature of fear.

“If we let our fear consume us, it will limit us... but we overcome our fear by our spirit of adventure and courage of conviction... Take pride in your accomplishments and face the future with a sense of adventure… we are ‘Viking’ and adventurers.

“Remember that fear is only a state of mind, but adventures are real and teach us we can overcome our fears if we want to. I urge each of you to treat each day wherever you are as an adventure ... each day will bring you new rewards.”

Attending the Loudoun Valley graduation were School Board Vice Chairman Priscilla Godfrey (Blue Ridge District), Jennifer Bergel (Catoctin District) and Tom Marshall (Leesburg District).