The summer before Dominion High School opened two years ago, Principal John Brewer knocked on the doors of every student's home and introduced himself.
Saturday, he bid the school's first graduating class success as they closed a chapter in their lives. Superintendent of Schools Edgar Hatrick told the seniors that they must have suspected their experience at Dominion was going to be special when a principal peddled his bicycle through the neighborhood to meet his students and their families.
Valedictorian Ashley Abesamis reached into the recesses of her mind, recalling memories of the students' elementary-school days. Echoing the 'I remember when' mantra of her parents and grandparents, Abesamis talked about the days when school ice cream used to cost 25 cents.
Sharing Hatrick's sentiments, she told her classmates to never let anyone tell them there is something they cannot do if they set their minds to it. "Dream high, I beg you," she said. "May you always carry the confidence that I see beaming from your faces today."
The administrators and teachers had big expectations for the Class of 2005, she said. "We did it. We're Titans, the first Titans, and we have sure created a name for us."
DENISE WINGFIELD, a science teacher, presented the two $500 faculty scholarships to the "idea man," Brandon Hollinsworth, and the "poetry-writing mathematician" Natalie Floyd.
"They give when nobody is looking," Wingfield said. "They truly believe in giving of themselves."
As the sun beat down on the 124 graduates seated in folded chairs on the athletic field, Student Council Association President Jason Addie introduced Brewer as the "truest Titan."
"He has created an environment that has resulted in the success that other schools could only hope for."
Brewer mentioned more than a dozen students by name along with reasons why they would be remembered. "Of course we can't forget Manny, with the big hair and the big bear hug," Brewer said. "Most of you have left something very worthwhile behind. You have left a legacy.'
The principal applauded the seniors for their service orientation. He said he hoped they would continue to make a difference. He shared a story about a taxi cab driver who showed considerable kindness to an elderly woman on death's doorstep. It is great gestures like this that often come "beautifully wrapped" in small moments, he said. Brewer urged the graduates to realize that people won't always recall what was said, but they will remember how "you made them feel."
Choked with emotion, his voice cracked and he had to pause a moment.
GRADUATE JERI MAYNARD then introduced the guest speaker, Chris Harvey, who graduated cum lade from Shepherd's College in 1981, despite losing his eyesight. Harvey went on to complete his master's degree in art and pioneered the use of talking computers in the investment industry. He is first vice president of Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
Harvey provided an inspirational pitch punctuated with "ch" words. He told the class to cherish life. Make the proper choices and meet the challenges that will build character as they become champions.
He commended the students for successfully combining 30 different languages and cultures.
Harvey compared life to a card game, saying the seniors will be dealt more than one hand. He spoke of a charmed life until his junior year in college when a bullet entered through the side of his left eye and out the other. He said he asked God to spare his life, even if it meant losing his eyesight. His first task was to forgive the man who shot him.
"Through the grace of God I was able to forgive him and move on with my life," he said. "The best thing you can do is forgive someone, so they and you can move on with your life."
Harvey also spoke of fairness. "It didn't seem fair, but I learned that life is not fair," he said. "If we expect life to be fair, we strive for something that doesn't exist."
He said he would be doing the Class of 2005 a disservice if he told them otherwise. Harvey went on to describe how he overcame hurdles and persevered. He advised the seniors to not ever let anyone tell them that they could not achieve their goals.
His final counsel was for the graduates to “make decisions of the heart."