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(July 5, 2013) - Park View High School’s Class of 2013 got a heartfelt sendoff from their principal.
Dr. Virginia Minshew is no Natasha Bedingfield, but she began her parting remarks to the seniors by singing the opening of Bedingfield’s “Unwritten.” “I am unwritten, can’t read my mind, I’m undefined. I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned.”
“How did you reach this point in your life and what have you written so far?,” asked Minshew. “I promise you did not get here alone and that you are a part of someone else’s life story just as they are a part of yours.”
Minshew said she was happy to be a part of the seniors’ story that has been written thus far. “You have enriched my life beyond measure and I am privileged to be part of your story. I would like to change the ending to the song just a bit… ‘Today is where your book continues.’ What are you going to write? It is my hope it will be a story of kindness, caring and a life well-lived. It is my hope that your story will be one of contributing and giving back.”
Park View held its graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 9th, at George Mason University’s Patriot Center. The Class of 2013 had 268 graduates who earned $1,746,680 in scholarships and grants.
Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick III reminded the students of the power of two words: thank you.
“Probably the most important two words you can utter in terms of your personal relationship with other people. ‘Thank you,’ when it’s said with meaning, can brighten and lighten the days of the people around you. I think there are a lot of people right here in this room whom you can thank; your friends, your teachers, your parents, your grandparents, your brothers and sisters, anyone who at some point in time has helped you to accomplish what you wanted to do. Saying ‘thank you’ to them will be the best present you can give them.”
LCPS Outreach Supervisor Wendall Fisher, the father of two Park View graduates, gave the commencement address. Fisher said the anticipation felt by the graduates was shared by their parents and those who have supported them in life.
“We wanted you to be successful. We needed you to be successful…
“They have never left your side. They have always been there for your parent-teacher conferences. Homework sessions – when your parents didn’t know what you were doing – but they were there. They were always there for your birthdays…to console you during your time of sadness and doubt and despair, they have always been there. They have always been there to raise you up…
“Now it’s your turn; what are you going to do?”
Fisher said he knew the role he’d like the graduates to play in the future
“Your ethics and character will inspire others to (honor) family, service and community, so they will one day raise their children to sit where you are sitting now…
“When it comes time to wrestle with some complicated issues, you must not shirk your responsibility. If there is trash in the street, you pick it up. If there is a child who needs to be helped, you help that child.
You volunteer your time – not when it is convenient – you volunteer your time when it makes a difference.
“This is your community coming up. And if you ever, ever need to come back home to recharge your batteries, to get re-focused, come on back; but don’t you dare stay too long…
“In order for you to achieve, we must let you go.”
Michael Slobodnjak and Mark Zhou were the valedictorians for the Class of 2013 with a grade point average (GPA) of 4.50. Amanda Godby was the salutatorian.
Minshew honored those graduates who attained a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
These graduates included:
- Michelle Goodwin
- Mohamed Ahmad
- Ian Coombs
- Lina Pen
- Leesun Chea
- Sarah Lawson
- Amanda Wimmer
- Patricia Nagley
- Allison Aviles Garcia
- Hira Zaheer
- Steven Vereb
- Jocelyn Albarracin
- Kevin Phung
- Nestor Maldonado Chino
- Michelle Rosado
- Kim-Khanh Tran
- Gautama Kakanaboyina
- Jennifer Rachner
- Amanda Godby
- Mark Zhou
- Michael Slobodnjak
Slobodnjak gave the valedictory address. He thanked those who were part of his high school career for giving him the opportunity to try different things and discover his passion.
“Now that we have had the opportunity to discover who we are, we get to take that person to the next step; to the future. Whether that is to a university, to a college, to a career, to a family, or to any other possible situation, we should be extremely proud of who we have become. It took 13 years of schooling and life to mold us into the diverse people that we are, sitting here today… It will hopefully take many more to share all that we have to offer with the world.
“I see such great things coming from the hands and minds of all of us and I can’t wait to hear about all of the amazing successes that we will be responsible for. Just remember all that you’ve been through, all that you’ve accomplished and all you are as a person… Don’t forget to keep a part of all of that with you in whatever is to come.”
School Board members Tom Reed (At-Large) and Brenda Sheridan (Sterling District) attended the Park View graduation.
Viva Loudoun Graduation 2013 Series
Today: Park View
Tomorrow: Potomac Falls
July 4: Loudoun Valley
July 3: Loudoun County
July 2 : Heritage
July 1: Freedom
June 30: Dominion
June 29: Broad Run
June 28: Briar Woods
Article and photo courtesy Loudoun County Public Schools
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