This graduate offered a little two-step for his family when he hit the pavilion floor in the procession.

Matoaca High School Student Council President Eric Linton Press welcomed everyone to the 43rd commencement exercises of the class of 2008 and its 369 graduates.  After sharing a story from a “South Park” episode of Cartman and his buddies being sad about leaving the third grade and its message of the “adventures of life and that there is always something new out there,” he told his fellow graduates to “find optimism in every situation.  Remember the past fondly, but don’t dwell on it.  There is always something new out there.”

Greetings for the graduates at the afternoon ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 in the Alltel Pavilion at the Siegel Center, came from Dr. Marcus J. Newsome, Superintendent, Chesterfield County Schools; Dr. Dale Kalkofen, Asst. Superintendent for Instruction; Marleen Durfee, Matoaca representative, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors; and Omar Rajah, Matoaca representative, Chesterfield County School Board.  In Rajah’s greetings, he assured the graduates and their families that Matoaca High School will be getting a sign in front of their school.

The top two candidates of their class, valedictorian Sara Kaitlin Amos and salutatorian Sarah Graves Bailey delivered addresses of hope and dedication.  Amos complimented her class with the dedication and determination they have shown.  “I have seen from them [dedication and determination] where they will be able to overcome obstacles that they may face whether they go to college or into the workforce,” she said.  Borrowing from Ghandi, she added, “’You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’  Do what you love to do.  Follow your heart.  Live a life doing what you love!”

Bailey reflected on their time spent over the last four years and how much they had changed.  “We have made it this far,” she said.  “Look toward the future and hope that we learn from the past.”

As with tradition, Senior Class Historian Ariel Christina Vital presented $2,000 to Stephen Cunningham, principal, to be used for beautifying the campus at Matoaca.

lfausz@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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