Prince George’s County kicks off graduation season with College and Career Decision Day
BOWIE, Md. (DC News Now) — As graduation season nears, many high school seniors will be taking that next step into adulthood in the coming weeks.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) decided to celebrate the milestone by bringing thousands of students district-wide for its College and Career Decision Day.
Washington Commanders host 300 students for ‘Commanders Read’
Students were treated to food, games and entertainment along with a live DJ. College and career representatives were also were in attendance from Prince George’s Community College, the University of Maryland and other high educational institutions.
A lot was going on but the students were most excited for their next step in life.
“I’m so excited, like it doesn’t feel real just yet, but I know it is and that part makes me happy,” said Jordyn Lamb, a senior from Fairmount Heights heading to Towson University.
Lamb said she wants to be a lawyer and has been dreaming about this since she was a child. She said she wanted to stay close to home and how Towson was the school for her.
Some other students preparing for graduation say they were ready to venture out into the world.
“I’m ready to start my life. I’m ready to move out of Maryland. I want to see something new,” Walter Pinkney said.
Pinkney will be joining the U.S. Coast Guard after graduation. Pinkney, like many others, had their hardships in high school, but walking across the stage will prove that hard work pays off.
“A lot of my family members haven’t really graduated high school, so it feels good to be one of the first people in my family to graduate high school,” Pinkney said. “This is something that’s gonna change my family name, my family altogether and I’m really excited to walk across that stage.”
Xavier Blair is another student who defeated the odds.
“The journey for me to get here, it was stressful … they didn’t think I would make it here,” Blair said.
He explained how he had to take summer classes and always feeling left behind. Now, he’ll walk across the stage with the rest of his classmates.
“The fact that I can walk to stage my peers, [it’s] a bittersweet moment,” he said.
Graduation also brings anxiety to many students, mainly because of finances. Nyre Crowell, a Wise High School senior, said she won’t let that stop her from her dream school.
Maryland Transit Administration hosts first Purple Line community meeting
The future Spelman College student said she chose it because of it’s high percentage of Black women at the school, something she feels comfortable with. But she says she is worried about the college’s high cost of tuition.
“I’ve been applying to every scholarship that I can attend,” Crowell said. “Any scholarships or grants that you know please let me know.”
Many paths and stories lead up to graduation, but one thing is certain that these students worked hard to get the honor of walking the stage.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
