Tuesday, June 23, 2015
English teacher Valerie Padgett sometimes consulted an urban dictionary to understand her South Lakes High School students.
“You all made me laugh,” she said. “I have been blessed to be a part of it.”
The senior class chose her to be the faculty member to give the commencement address at their once-in-a-lifetime commencement ceremony.
“Of all the students I have taught, you have had the most heart,” she told the Seahawks Class of 2015.
“I was both honored and horrified,” she told them, to laughter. “I first want to thank you for the sleepless nights, the generalized anxiety, and right now, the overwhelming feeling of nausea.”
She talked of her first year teaching in 1989 when she was determined to motivate students to love F. Scott Fitzgerald.
After 25 years of teaching, her point of view has changed.
“The goal is not to be inspiring, but to be inspired,” she said to the 546 seniors who matriculated.
More than 110 South Lakes students received grade point averages over 4.0.
About six students will serve the United States in the military, and received standing ovations from teachers, classmates and people in the audience.
“The power of your spirit is always within you,” Padgett told the graduating students.
Benjamin Gaiarin was the student speaker.
“My lips are, in a sense, everyone’s lips,” he said. He then kissed a relic spirit swivel stick used by faculty and senior class during the school year. But the words that followed spoke for and to the entire student body.
“Wherever your next steps may take you, notice the little moments,” he said. “The small moments ... bring out the flavor we never expected.”
Gaiarin reminded everybody of the loss of a classmate in class of 2015, Emma Clark, who died in September.
“We will always remember Emma’s warm smile,” he said. “Today, Emma walks with us.”
Class officer Khoa Nguyen introduced teacher Peter Kownacki, who gave the principle address.
“He gave us a lot more than just an appreciation for bowties,” Nguyen said.
“Always be an advocate for your own learning,” said their teacher. “Remember never to sit idly by when you don’t understand something.”
“I am in awe of your future potential,” Kownacki said.
Students entered the George Mason Patriot Center to hear South Lakes Band play “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar and “Fanfare and Flourish II” by James Curnow.
During the ceremony, they heard fellow graduates in the 2015 Senior Chorus sing the “Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key and “I Was Here” by Diane Warren. And after receiving their diplomas, students marched off the George Mason University floor to “Keep Ya Heads Up,” “Happy,” “ABC,” and “Shake it Off.”
Valerie Padgett referenced J.R. Tolkien.
“Class of 2015, safe travels, until we meet again.”