2015 Commencement: Lynnwood High School graduates ready to go out and change the world

Brandon Pel said that Lynnwood High School was a home for students the last four years. Pel was the Student Speaker at Lynnwood High School's Commencement Saturday evening at Edmonds Stadium. (Photos by David Pan)
Brandon Pel said that Lynnwood High School was a home for students the last four years. Pel was the Student Speaker at Lynnwood High School’s Commencement Saturday evening at Edmonds Stadium. (Photos by David Pan)

“In order to fully experience life, we need to venture out of our traditional comfort zone and meet new interesting people, who will eventually become lifelong friends. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some truly incredible people that I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. Be fearless. Be welcoming. Be yourself. Take the time to meet and learn from others.”

“Whether or not you noticed, we’ve collectively shaped each other over the years. We’ve created a cohesive body of individual students who are prepared and more than willing to instill change into our community.”

“What I want to stress is that after leaving the stadium today, go out and make memories so great that they’ll keep making you smile. Do what makes you happy and be honest to yourself about what is it that makes you happy.”

– Lyudmila Polevoy, Valedictorian

Lyudmila Polevoy was Lynnwood High School's Valedictorian and Jessica Nguyen was the Salutatorian.
Lyudmila Polevoy (right) was Lynnwood High School’s Valedictorian and Jessica Nguyen was the Salutatorian.

“For all our time here, I could say that we have learned profound lessons. But in reality that’s probably not the case. Instead we learned multiple mini-lessons that helped us grow.”

“When you make a decision, make sure you’re making it for yourself and not for others. Obviously when I say this, I don’t mean don’t take the time to serve our community. No. What I mean is that we will make many decisions in our lives. We’ve already begun to by choosing our college or future plans and everyone will have expectations of us. What we shouldn’t feel is the need to live up to each of those standards. At the end of the day what you do should serve you and only you. … No one has to live with your decision, except you.”

“Don’t try to do everything alone. Of course it is good to be independent. But there will be a time when you need to reach out to others in order to accomplish a task.”

– Jessica Nguyen, Salutatorian

“The ongoing support that you provide your son and daughter has raised them to be compassionate and hardworking and respectful young adults. It is a joy to teach your kids.”

Teacher Henry Shaw thanks parents for their ongoing support for their children.
Teacher Henry Shaw thanks parents for their ongoing support for their children.

“We need you. Our community needs you. We need your energy, your creativity. You are graduating into a world with many problems. Our country and larger world needs your leadership and talent to solve some of the problems that you will inherit from my generation. … After the parties this weekend, get to work.”

“Your diploma today is the first step to your future success. And please remember the hallmark of success is not fast cars and big houses. Rather it is commitment to a higher purpose, commitment to equity. Commit to freedom, to justice, to quality work and to service. Those are what will make you successful, Class of 2015.”

– Henry Shaw, Faculty Speaker – Social Studies Department

“We all have a choice in overcoming obstacles and enduring them. It’s called going through life.”

“Don’t let anyone tell us what we’re incapable of doing and what we want. Don’t let anyone keep us from being us because the only thing holding us back is ourselves. … You deserve to be happy. So why hold yourself back through fears or insecurities?”

“As human beings we just want to belong and find a place to call home and the past four years Lynnwood High School was that home.”

“We are all a family.”

“Open your heart because someday love will find its way in.”

– Brandon Pel, Student Speaker

“It is fear that we should seek, not predictability.”

– Alex Mannos, Class Officer – Vice President

Class Treasurer Ryan Baker speaks to her classmates along with Vice President Alex Mannos, President Reald Markokaj and Secretary Andrea Verduzco.
Class Treasurer Ryan Baker speaks to her classmates along with Vice President Alex Mannos, President Reald Markokaj and Secretary Andrea Verduzco (right).

“To say that we’ve made it sounds like we simply survived high school and I say we did more than that. I say we faced it. We fought it, embraced it, loved it, despised it. We were crushed, raised, transformed and enamored by it and in the end, we conquered it.”

“This chapter of our lives is over. All we can do now is look back on the pages hopefully to smile, if not for what’s written, then for what we have learned to write in the rest of our lives.”

– Reald Markokaj, Class Officer – President

Monty Cooper accepts her high school diploma from School Board Member Gary Noble (left)
Monty Cooper accepts her high school diploma from School Board Member Gary Noble (left)
Getting ready to walk into Edmonds Stadium.
Getting ready to walk into Edmonds Stadium.
The combined band and orchestra provided music.
The combined band and orchestra provided music.
Playing to a packed Edmonds Stadium.
Playing to a packed Edmonds Stadium.
Lynnwood teacher Don Ide hugs a graduate.
Lynnwood teacher Don Ide hugs a graduate.
The start of Commencement.
The start of Commencement.
It's time to celebrate.
It’s time to celebrate.
All eyes on the graduates.
All eyes on the graduates.
Way to go.
Way to go.

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