Mothers and fathers, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles crowded into Constitution Hall Thursday afternoon to cheer on their relative who was among the 428 seniors graduating from McLean High School, a major milestone in their young lives.
The seniors entered the concert hall at about 2:30 p.m. to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by McLean's band. Friends, family and distinguished guests clapped and cheered for the graduates.
Senior Class Officer Philip Choi began the ceremony with opening remarks followed by “The Star Spangled Banner” performed by the McLean Madrigals.
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The next senior class officer to take the podium was Nicholaus Baker. He began his welcoming address by sharing one of his favored memories.
“I had a teacher that was so passionate about teaching, he let us hammer a cinder block on top of his chest just to help us understand the laws of physics,” Baker said. “I have never seen a more dedicated teaching staff than the one we have at McLean High School.”
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Baker was a Quill and Scroll Honor Society member and this year’s male recipient of the Faculty Award for Most Outstanding Student. The female recipient of the award was Ellen Springsteen, who was a member of the National, History, Mu Alpha Theta Math, and Omega Phi Epsilon Computer Science Honor Societies.
The graduation speaker was Ann Moore, former chairman and CEO of Time Inc. and a McLean High alum.
Moore was featured on Fortune Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in American Business” list ten times and named one of the “100 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes. Moore is the aunt to one of McLean’s graduating seniors, Rose Sommovigo.
During her speech, Moore shared her life experiences, including time spent with Princess Diana and sitting at the 50-yard line of every Super Bowl. She noted that even after her 33 years at Time Inc., nothing was more important to her than spending time with her family and cooking Sunday night dinners for her husband and 27-year-old son.
“Forget the clock. Get yourself a compass instead because the direction you’re headed is far more important than how fast you’re going,” Moore told the seniors. “You might miss the fun of the journey.”
The commencement concluded with the ceremonial turning of the tassel and cap toss after seniors were presented their diplomas and declared graduates by Principal Dr. Deborah Jackson. The students exited to the song, "We Are Young," by the band, Fun.
"It's been a great experience. I feel very fortunate that my son was able to attend McLean High School," said Kathy Hart, mother of graduating senior Kevin Hutchinson.
Alyssa Rajabi graduated from McLean High School three years ago. She is now a Communication major with an electronic journalism minor at George Mason University.
