Warrenton graduates 225 students

By Kelly Bowen, Staff Writer
Posted 6/13/24

While the forecast was calling for rain the whole week, on May 8, 225 Warriors walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas with the bright sun shining down on them.

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Warrenton graduates 225 students

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While the forecast was calling for rain the whole week, on May 8, 225 Warriors walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas with the bright sun shining down on them.

Family members, teachers and friends all gathered inside the stadium to watch their loved ones graduate on the Warriors football field. 

Warrenton High School Principal Eric Alderson opened the commencement welcoming everyone who came to celebrate. 

Justin Cosgrove, a Warrenton graduate from the Class of 2007, gave a speech. Cosgrove left a message to the graduates saying, “The only quality needed to achieve success is perseverance and a little courage.” 

Cosgrove emphasized the importance of celebrating the accomplishments the graduates had made, but equally stressed the point that they should ask themselves “what’s next?”

“If you get to a crossroads or you’re at one right now at this moment where you’re hesitant, scared or anxious, embrace those fears and continue to push ahead,” Cosgrove said. 

Alderson then went on to recognize students with class honors. Ten students graduated with cum laude status, four students with magna cum laude and 22 students with summa cum laude. 

The Warrenton High School choir sang “Life is a Highway” arranged by Alan Billingsley and later the band performed “Selections From Chicago” arranged by Ted Ricketts. 

Graduate Doralynn Lee was the only student to give a speech. Lee used the analogy of water to talk about the high school experience. She talked about the Class of 2024 testing the waters with new things, the feeling of drowning in homework and teachers pulling students aside when they knew they were stuck and treading water. 

“Even if you don’t know how to swim, don’t be afraid to dive into the uncharted waters ahead. I promise you the storms won’t melt you,” Lee said. “Good luck Class of 2024.” 

Lee was also recognized for her perfect attendance record not just from a single year, but from kindergarten through her senior year. 

With a short, but sweet ending, Alderson announced the seniors as the official graduating Class of 2024. 

“The anticipation is growing, the seniors, who are now graduates, please stand up,” Alderson said. “This is the moment you have all been waiting for…”

The class then moved their tassels from right to left, throwing their caps in the air. Some graduates hugged, some took videos and pictures to capture the moment and others went to go find their families to celebrate.


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