On May 27th, the graduating class of 2025 stepped foot on Meridian’s campus for the last time. They took their seats on the football field, while family members and friends filled the stands to celebrate their achievements. Valedictory scholars, Adam Belouad and Molly Mostow, along with the senior class council, spoke during the ceremony. Their farewell provided a retrospective on the seniors’ FCCPS experience, beginning for many at Mount Daniel and ending at Meridian.
Graduation represents a key milestone in these students’ lives, as the individuals transition from being a high schooler to a college student. The graduation farewell applied not only to the graduates but to superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan, as well as the band director, Ms. West.
In his speech as commencement speaker, Noonan remarked that he had attended over 100 graduations, and the class of 2025’s graduation was his last. Noonan reflected on his 33 years of dedication to public education and eight years as a superintendent to FCCPS.
“I was honored to be asked to address this year’s class of 2025 and deliver the commencement speech,” Noonan commented. “There isn’t a class I would rather walk out with than the class of 2025. Working in FCCPS has been the honor of a lifetime.”
During the ceremony, Ms. West led the jazz ensemble in the song “Phrygian Five” by Alan Baylock, which featured the solos of seniors Case Dimock on the trombone, Nate Hill on the keyboard, and Wesley Crawford on the drumset. The band also performed “Procession of the Nobles” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov as a recessional.
Further, Ms. Jamie Sample led the choir in the national anthem and “Vienna” by Billy Joel. In Mostow’s speech, she selected lyrics from the song including “Slow down, you crazy child, you’re so ambitious for a juvenile” and “But you know that when the truth is told, that you can get what you want or you can just get old.” These lyrics served as metaphors about growing old and leaving.
The day of celebration was filled with emotion, including tears of pride from parents.
“I am so excited to see Elena and all her friends that I have known basically their whole lives be celebrated today and for what lies ahead.” said Ms. Gwenda Wilson, mother of Elena Clark-Wilson.
Senior Class President Grace Calabrese wrapped up graduation with a speech about acting with kindness.
“It was really fun,” said Calabrese, “I obviously am sick, so my voice is weird, but it was fun to have a chance to talk to my classmates and try to make it about them and celebrate that moment with them. I was just really honored.”
Graduation is a bittersweet moment for the seniors. Speakers touched on the notion of students longing for graduation for many years, to find themselves reminiscing over their high school experience.
Many seniors felt sentimental about leaving their fellow peers behind as they begin this new stage of their lives.
“Graduation is such a blast to the past,” William Hladky said. “I’m gonna miss all these people, you know? It’s emotional.”
