Twelve students began the evening as high school seniors and ended the evening as graduates. They worked incredibly and diligently to earn their degrees. And each student deserves a large applause for completing high school. Their proud families and friends and teachers were all able to see them make this major transition. One student was unable to be at graduation, but he was there in spirit. In all 13 students graduated from the Accelerated Schools of Overland Park this year.
Graduating senior Tyler started the evening with a reading before dinner. Seniors, families, friends, staff and faculty all enjoyed a wonderful dinner before the main celebrations began. After dinner, students were awarded certificates for good/perfect attendance, wonderful results in standardized testing. Siarah was awarded the Faculty Appreciation Award, a honor voted on by the staff. Dimitri was awarded the Presidential Award in Education. Nakysha presented the Senior Speech.
Leonard Zeskind, a 1998 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellow, was the commencement speaker. Mr. Zeskind has devoted his life to the struggle for dignity and humanity for all people, and works to curb the influence of racism, anti-Semitism and white surpremacist groups.
During his commencement speech, he told the students that although he has spoken to Parliament in England, Police and elected officials, speaking to them made him a bit nervous. He told them that they had already accomplished so much with completing their degrees, but they had become life long learners, and lifelong teachers. Their role in the future was to help the people of the world work together. As the United States becomes a country made of minorities, everyone must learn to help each other.
And then the students were presented their diplomas by Sara and Bob, while Jane read off their names. Each student was greeted with applause as he or she received a diploma. It was a wonderful evening of celebration.
