Loudoun Graduates 59 Seniors in Summer School Commencement
As of Friday, nearly five dozen Loudoun teens are saying goodbye to high school and setting their sights on college and the real world.
The Loudoun County Public School system graduated 59 seniors Friday morning as part of its summer school commencement ceremony at Potomac Falls High School. Proud families of students from Broad Run, Briar Woods, Heritage, John Champe, Loudoun County, Park View, Potomac Falls, Riverside, Rock Ridge, Stone Bridge and Tuscarora High Schools watched as their sons and daughters shook hands with their respective principals and grabbed the diplomas they’d been working toward for the last four years of their lives.
After opening remarks from Potomac Falls Summer School Principal Allan Edwards, Nyah Hamlett, the school system’s chief of staff, delivered the commencement address, pointing out five pieces of valuable advice the graduates should latch onto—to continue to be resilient; that humility, empathy and vulnerability take courage to exhibit; to maintain a “healthy skepticism” and challenge the status quo; to know the difference between thinking and believing; and to resist living their lives solely on social media.
“You are forever students of life, but this morning, you are graduates,” Hamlett told the grads. “Go forth, engage the world and solve real world problems.”
Friday’s 59 graduates account for 1 percent of the 6,398 Loudoun seniors who graduated earlier this summer.
pszabo@loudounnow.com
A Potomac Falls High School graduate accepts his diploma from Brandon Wolfe, the school’s principal, during Friday’s Summer School Commencement Ceremony. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
Potomac Falls High School graduate Valeria Salazar Acosta poses with her family following Friday morning’s Summer School Commencement Ceremony. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
Nearly 60 graduates from 11 Loudoun high schools listen in on opening remarks and a commencement address during their summer school graduation ceremony Friday morning at Potomac Falls High School. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
The proud family of a Rock Ridge High School graduate take multiple photos following Friday morning’s Summer School Commencement Ceremony at Potomac Falls High School. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
Nearly 60 graduates from 11 Loudoun high schools switch the direction of their cap tassels to signify their graduation. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
The cafeteria of Potomac Falls High School was flooded with dozens of families taking photos with their high school graduates Friday morning following Loudoun’s Summer School Commencement. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
Nearly 60 graduates from 11 Loudoun high schools took part in their Summer School Commencement Ceremony Friday morning at Potomac Falls High School. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now]