MCPS Graduation Season Gets Started Friday

An Olympic Gold Medalist, an ESPN sportscaster and the chairman of the Special Olympics are among the speakers who will address the graduating class of 2017 this year.

And several schools will be holding ceremonies at the Xfinity Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, saving families the trek into the District to see their graduates receive their diplomas at DAR Constitution Hall.

The gold medalist is Helen Maroulis. The graduate of Col. Zadok Magruder High School will be speaking before her alma mater’s graduation.

From ESPN is Steve Weissman, who also will be speaking at the ceremonies of his alma mater, Springbrook High School. And Tim Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics, will be addressing Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School graduates.

May 26

Paint Branch High School, Burtonsville, will hold its graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the school. The speaker will be Leslie Greene, PBHS English and media teacher.

Stephen Knolls School, Silver Spring, will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the school. The speaker will be Chrisandra Richardson, associate superintendent of Special Education.

May 30

Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, will graduate its Class of 2017 at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Leon Harris, news anchor at NBC4.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Tim Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics.

May 31

Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg, will graduate the Class of 2017 at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Tyrell Williams, student at Georgetown University and Quince Orchard alumni.

Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville, will graduate its seniors at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Dickson Beattie “Doc” Hendley, founder and president of Wine to Water.

June 1

Albert Einstein High School, Kensington, will graduate its Class of 2017 at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speakers will be students Devin McCoy and Mary Silva-Varela.

Wheaton High School will graduate the Class of 2017 at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speakers will be Wheaton teacher Kolawole Marville and student Chayla Santiago.

June 2

Damascus High School will graduate its seniors at 9 a.m. Friday, June 2, at the school. The speaker will be Kyle Sefcik, 2005 graduate, and owner of K-Sef Industries, Owner of MMA & Sport.

Seneca Valley High School, Germantown, will graduate the Class of 2017 at 10 a.m. Friday, June 2, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Dr. James Cherry, scientific program director and assistant project officer.

Model Learning Center, Clarksburg, will hold its graduation ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Clarksburg Correctional Facility.

Gaithersburg High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker is Jason Wright, best-selling author.

Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents, Rockville, will hold its graduation ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 2. The speaker will be Javier Arguello, executive director of Cognitive Pro.

June 5

Clarksburg High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, June 5, at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg. The speaker will be Kyle Wannen, English teacher.

Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, will hold its graduation at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, at DAR Constitution Hall.

June 6

Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, will graduate its seniors at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Xfinity Center, University of Maryland College Park. The speaker will be social studies teacher Jeremy Butler and Scott Hallenbeck, the CEO of USA Football and a WJHS graduate.

Springbrook High School, Silver Spring, will graduate its seniors at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Springbrook graduate Steve Weissman, a sportscaster from ESPN.

Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, will graduate its Class of 2017 at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the Xfinity Center, University of Maryland, College Park. The speaker will be Rep. Jamie Raskin.

Northwest High School, Germantown, will graduate its seniors at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be John Robertson, former assistant principal at Northwest.

June 7

Col. Zadok Magruder High School, Rockville, will graduate its seniors at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Xfinity Center, University of Maryland, College Park. The speaker will be Helen Maroulis, a former Magruder student and an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling.

Poolesville High School will graduate its seniors at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg. The speaker will be Sarah Pavlik, resource counsel with 33 years with MCPS and 12 years Poolesville.

Rockville High School will graduate its seniors at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Lane Ethridge, a 2001 graduate of RHS, a motivational speaker and an award-winning author.

Sherwood High School, Sandy Spring, will hold its graduation ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Xfinity Center, University of Maryland, College Park. The speaker will be Kasandra Kugler Alla, Class of 2005, founder of Heroes in Blue (Nonprofit organiztion which supports police officers).

John F. Kennedy High School, Silver Spring, will graduate its class of 2017 at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Kevin McCarthy, an entertainer reporter for Fox News.

June 8

Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Dr. Moriba K. Jah, associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.

June 9

Montgomery County’s Alternative Education Programs will graduate its Class of 2017 at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9, at the Rockville Civic Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre. The speaker will be Emily Russ, administrative secretary, elementary curriculum and districtwide programs.

Longview School, Germantown, will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9, at the school. The speakers will be Phillip Lynch, director of special education; Dr. LaVerne Kimball, associate superintendent of elementary schools; and school board member Rebecca Smondrowski.

Northwood High School, Silver Spring, will graduate the Class of 2017 at 10 a.m., Friday, June 9, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speakers will be students Jose Maria Tapia, Wiley Clements and Jaline Vasquez Cruz.

Rock Terrace School, Rockville, hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9. The speaker will be Patti McCormick, retired para professional.

June 12

Watkins Mill High School, Montgomery Village, will graduate its seniors at 10 a.m. Monday, June 12, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Dave Sampselle, English teacher at Watkins Mill.

June 14

James Hubert Blake High School, Silver Spring, will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, at DAR Constitution Hall. The speaker will be Aryn Frazier, Class of 2013, Rhodes Scholar 2017.

Aug. 10

Summer School will hold its graduation at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Richard Montgomery High School. The speaker will be school board member Jeanette Dixon.