Important choices abound for Walkersville High School graduates

As members of Walkersville High School’s class of 2024 assembled for their commencement ceremony on Wednesday morning, they reminisced about football games, cafeteria lunches with friends and, in the words of student speaker Krisha Patel, “smelling the fresh manure on Walkersville’s farms.”

The celebration of Walkersville High’s class of 2024 — numbering 284, according to the commencement program — was held in the Knott Arena at Mount St. Mary’s University.

Photos: Walkersville High School Graduation

The ability to graduate in a room packed full of family, friends and significant others was not taken for granted by anyone in the class, all of whom started their ninth grade year in isolation, rather than among their peers.

“In freshman year, our biggest choice was getting out of bed for online classes,” Patel said in her address.

“Looking towards the future, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the even greater impact our choices will have,” she continued. “Let me remind you that it isn’t about making your past perfect or the choices you made. It’s about learning from and embracing those choices.”

The significance of the choices the graduates will make going forward, as opposed to the choices they already made, was also a major theme of Frederick County Board of Education member Sue Johnson’s remarks.

After congratulating the students who graduated wearing honor stoles, cords and medals over their regalia, Johnson turned her attention toward the students who graduated “by the skin of [their] teeth.”

“When I was your age, our high school graduating class walked across the stage by class rank, and out of the 91 graduates, there was only one person announced ... after me,” Johnson said.

“So just remember that today is a snapshot of where you are at this moment,” she continued. “But it does not define who you will become nor will it define your chances for success and happiness in life.”

During her speech, Walkersville High School Principal Stephanie Ware said the class of 2024 would “forever hold a special place” in her heart.

“The transformation that has occurred in each of you is incredible,” Ware said. “Seniors, as you step out into this world, please continue being the amazing people who sit in front of me today.”

Amadou Felton, who plans to begin his studies in cyber security at Frederick Community College this fall, had positive memories of his time at Walkersville High School.

“It just felt really good,” Felton said. “It was a lot of fun — a lot of laughs.”

Mila Miletic, another Walkersville High graduate, said it was “really weird going into high school during lockdown,” but that she hit her stride when she joined Future Farmers of America.

Throughout her time in high school, Miletic served as the reporter, secretary and vice president of the Walkersville chapter. She also participated in several competitions and earned three industry certifications, including one in plant science, she said.

After graduation, Miletic plans to further her education in the agricultural realm by pursuing a degree in environmental science from Hood College.

“I found my way,” she said.