Moments before they proceeded into the auditorium and addressed their classmates from onstage pulpit, Thomas S. Wootton High School seniors Salah Czapary and Joanna Dong offered some hard-earned wisdom to rising freshmen at large.

"Don’t take all the AP [tests] they say to take," said Czapary, the senior class vice president.

"Sleep while you can," advised senior class treasurer Joanna Dong.

Wootton graduated its largest class ever — 631 — at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 3, and during the festivities advice how to conduct one’s self through the twists and turns of life that lay ahead of the graduates was ample. The spirit of the school mascot Patriot and the ideals of public service were expounded by the four commencement speakers, each of whom are Wootton alumni.

U.S. Naval Captain Gregory Thomas, Commander of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, advised the graduates to always challenge themselves and to never settle for settling for a comfort zone in their professional lives, which he said should be dedicated to serving others.

"Run, do not walk, from your comfort zone," Thomas said. Thomas’ two older brothers and fellow Wootton graduates Commander Christopher Thomas, Executive Office of the President/ Drug Control Policy, and Col. Douglas Thomas, Commander of the 10th Marine Regiment, also spoke. The fourth Thomas brother, Rear Admiral David Thomas was unable to make the scheduled appearance.

Presidential advisor and Cabinet Secretary Christopher Lu (Wootton ’84) recalled how his late father, a Taiwanese immigrant stressed the importance of education to him. His father died long before Lu rose to his current political status, but would never have doubted the limitless opportunities afforded to his son by a good education, Lu said.

Christopher Thomas imparted that one’s definition of success should be the measure of their contribution to the world, but if this year’s seniors hadn’t figured out yet just how to get there they shouldn’t fret.
"If you know what you want to do with your life, that’s great," he said. "If you don’t, don’t worry — you’ll figure it out."

Gregory Thomas spoke of the photo he has of his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, a photo that shows former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger ready to shake Thomas’ hand, and the back of Thomas’ head while he waved to the audience. Thomas said that looking back occasionally and appreciating those who helped you along the way was important.

Wootton principal Michael Doran drew the day’s biggest laughs, mixing advice with humor and school spirit. He advised the students to associate personal quality of life — not money — with success.

He congratulated the middle school principals of the Wootton cluster schools who were in attendance who guided the graduates "when you were 11, 12, and 13 and at your most unlovable," he said. And he sent them off by assigning one last task.
"Just remember wherever you go — Patriots rule," he said.