TJ High graduates encouraged to always follow their dreams and persist
A sea of red caps and gowns flowed into the Knott Arena at Mount St. Mary’s University on Monday as Gov. Thomas Johnson High School’s graduating class prepared to receive their diplomas.
As the graduates came in and took their seats, the audience of family and friends stood up to applaud them, cheering and whistling as they saw familiar faces.
Photos: Gov. Thomas Johnson High Graduation
Photos from Gov. Thomas Johnson High School Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony in Knott Arena at Mount St. Mary's University.
TJ High’s class of 2024 consisted of 446 graduating seniors, according to a program for the ceremony.
Ella Wilson, one of several graduates who spoke during the ceremony, looked out at the hundreds of faces who were waiting to cross the stage and accept their diplomas.
While attending TJ High, Wilson was the vice president of the school’s National Honor Society, a member of multiple sports teams including girls soccer and cross country, and a member of the Student Government Association. She plans to attend Coastal Carolina University after graduating.
Wilson quoted from one of Dr. Seuss’ stories, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” during her speech: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know, and you are the one who will decide where to go.”
Wilson said she chose to mention that quote and story because she thought other graduates — some of whom are going to higher education institutions while others are going into the workforce — would also relate to it.
“We likely have the happiest moments of our lives awaiting us, but there’s bound to be the saddest and hardest moments, too,” she said. “We must meet this adversity with open arms and prepare ourselves for whatever punches life may throw.”
Other graduating speakers, as well as TJ High Principal Tracey Kibler, told the class of 2024 to keep persevering as they leave high school and embark into the future and believe in themselves and their dreams.
Abigail Ortiz Flores, who immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador, talked about the nerves, confusion and excitement that her class felt during their first days as TJ High students.
She also mentioned the support systems the graduates have had throughout their high school careers through their families and teachers, who’ve reminded them that “if you want to do it, you can.”
“Today feels like the first day of school all over again because a new game is about to begin,” Ortiz Flores said.
Many graduates were recognized and celebrated for their achievements and talents during the ceremony.
Elliot Anderson received one of this year’s Golden Patriot Awards, which recognize a student and a staff member who demonstrate Frederick County Public Schools’ “Character Counts” pillars of responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship and respect.
Joshua Wittenberg sang “Pure Imagination” from the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and received an explosion of applause and a standing ovation from his fellow graduates, education dignitaries on stage and members of the audience.
Jayvan Sanni-Thomas was one of many graduates of African descent who was awarded for earning a weighted GPA of at least 3.7 by the end of the third quarter.
He plans to attend Frederick Community College to decide what he ultimately wants to study at a four-year institution later on and to further develop his athletic skills in basketball.
Sanni-Thomas said he’s more focused on deciding his future path than on the graduation ceremony itself, but “it does make me feel fulfilled.”
“I feel like it reminds me that all the good deeds I’ve done and the people I’ve been nice to, it was all worth it,” he said. “I can see the effects that all those all-nighters and nights studying had. I am still happy.”
