QOHS Commencement Highlights

“You wish you could be One Two.”

Michaela Peterson, senior class president of QOHS Class of 2012, reminded the students of their class slogan that plays on the class's last two digits in their graduating year, during her welcome remarks during QOHS’ 23rd Commencement Ceremony held Wednesday at DAR Constitution Hall. 

Quince Orchard’s Principal Carole Working, lauded the many academic achievements of the graduating class, as well as their extracurricular accomplishments that include well over 50,000 hours of community service.

In attendance were MCPS special guests that included: The Honorable Ms. Shirley Brandman, President Board of Elections; Dr. Joshua Starr, Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Laverne Kimball, Community Superintendent.

Elizabeth Struble, MCPS director of school performance, gave the commencement address. Struble, who announced her retirement after 43 years of service in MCPS, recalled being part of the staff that started Quince Orchard High School 25 years ago. 

After the school’s opening, “a little bit of reality set in and school spirit was not yet earned,” she said.

Struble discussed the trials and challenges of opening a new school, and in the case of QOHS, it was the first new school in MCPS in 17 years. Getting the school’s fire alarm to work was one challenge she recalled, with humor, when there were 15 fire drills in one school day.

“A vision of greatness takes some time to come to fruition,” said Struble, addressing the 379 graduates.

Struble gave her top 10 tips to the students for moving on in their lives, inspiring them to be creative and imaginative, kind and ethical, and to make wise choices because “with freedom and independence comes responsibility.”

Other highlights of the ceremony included remarks by the class valedictorians, J. Annie Chen, Julie Neveleff and Grace Toohey.

“The Class of 2012 is the most academically successful in the history of Quince Orchard,” said Neveleff.

“Our thorough preparation to date leaves us with no reason to question our abilities but every reason to be excited about the possibilities,” she said.

“Collectively we are the future,” said Toohey, “…and I believe in us.”