This Saturday, May 18, 240 seniors will receive their diplomas when the Class of 2019 has its commencement ceremony.The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the high school football field.In case of rain, graduation will be moved inside the gymnasium with a seven-ticket limit per graduate.“We are hopeful we can have it outside so everyone can be a part of it,” said Principal Lorraine Raziq.This year’s keynote Speaker is WHS graduate Nicci Fears.Those in attendance will hear the choir perform the senior song “Take Me Home,” by the Pentatonix, while the band will perform the senior song “Music for a Darkened Theater,” by Danny Elfman.Raziq says the Class of 2019 was a class of firsts.“We had kids qualify for nationals in the arts with both theatrical performance and artistic performance,” said Raziq. “We had kids in both DECA and FLBA qualify for state championships. And we had a lot of kids make it to state in sports competitions for the first time. It was a lot of kids who set goals and achieved them, which was amazing.”The Class of 2019 also faced adversity early in its senior year with the loss of fellow classmate Megan Gross in a car accident during September.Raziq said the emotional challenge presented an opportunity for the class to bond together and show its character.“Losing Megan was really hard,” she said. “I think the support of the community during that process was amazing. That, to me, speaks volumes about what this school is about, who these kids are and what their hearts really are like.”The number of high school graduates continues to grow.“Our enrollment continues to grow, which is amazing,” Raziq said.Raziq says she is excited to see where each student’s road leads them.“People ask why I work with kids,” said Raziq. “I work with them for this very reason. I get to see them come in as freshmen and in a lot of ways they’re still kids. In a four year metamorphosis they turn into these young adults who are ready to move on and conquer the world.”

Students at the 2018 Warrenton High School graduation.

Record file photo