Preston Bullock, a JROTC member, received a saber salute and a hug coming off the podium.

Only a few national flags flew at Meadowbrook High School’s commencement exercises to represent the over 50 nationalities of students in attendance, but the 399 graduates were also honored by a strong JROTC program and color guard; each JROTC student was given a saber salute.  The audience had the pleasure to hear the strong voices of the Meadowbrook singers, who always give a professional performance with their singing of the national anthem, “May It Be,” and “Let There be Peace on Earth.” 

The oddity on the program was the omission of the salutatorian.  It read TBA (to be announced), as there was a tie.  When the time came for the announcement, Malikah Raja Rahim stepped to the podium for her address.  Lesley Brooks was the class of 2008’s valedictorian.  She will be heading to the University of Virginia to study pre-med with a focus on pediatrics.  She reminded her classmates, “Life is too short to let one bad day dictate what lies in the next...Success and failure can be fleeting, but knowledge can never be taken from us.”

Also sending greetings to the graduates on Thursday, June 12 held in the Alltel Pavilion at the Seigel Center were James M. Holland, Dale representative, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors; David S. Wyman, Dale representative, Chesterfield County School Board; and Dr. Marcus J. Newsome, superintendent, Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Meadowbrook’s graduation audience can be a little rowdy,  with lots of cheers and calling out to sons and daughters, cousins, and friends.  Cornelius W. Fletcher, principal of Meadowbrook High School, gave the final address before declaring the seniors as graduates.  He started his tenure when these graduates first entered as freshmen.  His honest approach of describing how they were when they first entered and how they grew to become the young adults they are today was shown with compassion and love voiced from his heart.  He truly meant it when he concluded with the simple three words of “I love you.”

Reena Patel and Maurice Turner tied for the Faculty Scholarship.  The Mack D. Moore Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Charnet Johnson.

lfausz@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

© Copyright by Village Publishing

Top of Page                                              Comment on This Article

The Village News office is located at 4607 West Hundred Road Chester
Mailing address is PO Box 2397 Chester, VA 23831
Phone: 751-0421  Fax: 751-9155
Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday call ahead for other hours.
Statement of Journalistic Ethics