Four hundred and fifty-eight graduates walked the stage at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on June 17, 2023, and celebrated their final farewells to one another. 

“What you have given Ocean Lakes, the gift of grace and hope for restoration and trying times, cannot be measured but will forever be remembered,” said Principal Dr. Claire LeBlanc.

Freshman year concluded over a screen, sophomore year was spent at home and junior year had COVID restrictions and masks. The class of 2023 got their first real high school experience during their senior year. 

“Knowing that we were able to take those first steps as small, timid freshman…just imagine what our first steps will look like in the next chapter of our lives,” said student speaker Kyle Phillips.

The Dolphin Medallion is the highest honor bestowed upon students who have shown ‘the dolphin way’ and exemplary leadership in many roles. Nathaniel Bushey, Sierra Clark, Cedrick Demaranan, Robert DiNunzio, Andrew Goodove, Zoe Hall, Sonia Kekeh, Devin McCall, Hope McCallister, Ruoming Shen, Kenzie Stinson and Katie Wong were all recipients of this year’s Dolphin Medallion.

Three hundred and forty-five students graduated with honors, and 70% of the class had a GPA of 3.0 or higher. With a grand total of $9 million in student scholarships, 26 regional championships, four team state titles and three Virginia Music Educators Blue Ribbon Awards, these are only some of the achievements the class of 2023 has accomplished in their four years at Ocean Lakes. 

“As we end our story here at Ocean Lakes and prepare to begin a new one, I’d like to remind you all of just how capable you are of embracing the future challenges that may lie ahead,” said senior class president Cedrick Dimaranan.