Class of 2021 took the stage at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater on Fri., June 18 at 1:30 pm as they celebrated Ocean Lakes’ twenty-seventh commencement.

“This graduation was different from other graduations, but it was worth it. Not seeing everyone for so long made it so much better to see my friends at graduation. I’m so proud of the class of 2021. We have been through a lot, and our senior year was hard but graduation was the best by far,” said senior Justine Newman.

Family, friends, and staff all gathered to praise the class of 2021 for making it through this difficult year of hybrid learning. The ceremony started with the National Anthem, and guests enjoyed student speeches from the senior class president, Michelle Pham, salutatorian Sam Cutler, and valedictorian Alan Le Mach.

“An exceptional year for an exceptional class,” said Dr. Claire LeBlanc, who noted that of the 463 seniors, 298 were honor grads and 113 had over a 4.0 grade point average.

According to LeBlanc, the class of 2021 earned just under seven million in scholarships, despite the pandemic circumstances.

“As the principal of Ocean Lakes High School, I certify that these candidates have fulfilled graduation requirements set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said LeBlanc.

Seniors celebrated GradFest at the APEX Entertainment Center on June 18 from 10 pm until 11:30 pm.

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