By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Jun 10, 2014, 14:57
PRINCE GEORGE — Prince George High School held its 61st commencement ceremony at the school’s athletic field on Saturday, June 7, awarding more than 350 graduates with high school diplomas.
The graduates, decked in green and gold, celebrated the culmination of years of hard work and dedication surrounded by a sea of family, friends, and their fellow classmates.
Salutatorian Gwen Blair Dunn spoke to her classmates about the importance of knowing the real meaning of success.
“Our generation views success as the amount of money one makes each year, the job title that accompanies that salary, letters that follow a last name, the type of degree hanging on a wall, a great appearance, or power,” said Dunn. “But they are not the only things that define a person or their success.”
Dunn spoke to the graduates on the importance of helping others and making a positive impact on those that surround them.
“We are truly successful when we make an impact on this world, and other peoples lives,” said Dunn.
Dunn urged her fellow classmates to not define their success on the standards set forth by society, but instead on the impact they will make on others and the world.
The commencement ceremony marks the last that Principal Tracy Smallwood would be participating in. Smallwood is retiring this year after a 33-year career in the field of education.
Valedictorian Robert Earl West III spoke to the crowd about the importance of those in the field of education, who molded each one of the graduates into the excellent students they are today. West honored those educators at Prince George High School, for shaping the students as well as the school.
“These are the men and women that transformed our high school into what it is today,” said West.
West also urged his fellow classmates to live their futures to the fullest potential and to always strive to find what makes them happy.
“Find what you are passionate about, and run after it. Life is much to short to waste our time with anything less. Find your passion and then do that every day for the rest of your life,” said West.
Of the 372 graduates in the 2014 class of Prince George High School, 38 of the students graduated with honors, graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.
