Graduation is a time of tremendous sentience. The throwing of caps holds both excitement and anxiety. The months, weeks, and days leading up to commencement are filled with anticipation, and when it’s time to walk across that stage and move that tassel to the left, emotions crescendo into euphoria. There’s something of an instantaneous transformation that calls for celebration, reflection, and separation. WHSAD’s class of 2018 demonstrated how emotions run the gamut during the ceremony as there was plenty of laughter, quite a bit of smiling, and a few sentimental tears.
There were also words of wisdom provided by speakers such as Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Kimberley McCollum; Salutatorian, Kenneth Nelson, Jr.; Keynote speaker, Mr. Jeff Moore; C.T.E. teacher extraordinaire, Mr. Alain Codio; Valedictorian, Zeal Patel; and Assistant Principal, Ms. Maria Basilio.
Hearing the thoughts each of these speakers shared regarding the class of 2018, one could not miss the regard each held for the students. And Valedictorian, Zeal Patel, offered his advice to his peers with a Hindi proverb: “Koshish karne walo ki kabhi haar nahi hoti,” which translates to “People who keep trying never fail.” Such persistence has been a key feature among many of WHSAD’s 2018 graduating class, which posted a 97.9% graduation rate, and, even though moving on can be daunting, such an attribute will help ensure that these alumni handle future challenges with aplomb and determination. 
Congratulations, Class of 2018.
A special thanks to Ms. Katherine Nelson for all her hard work in making sure that the commencement ceremony sent the students off in a dignified fashion.