Boasting More Than $200M In Scholarships, 7,000 Seniors Are Graduating From PGCPS

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — More than 7,000 seniors boasting approximately $200 million in scholarships are graduating from Prince George’s County Public Schools this year.

Graduation ceremonies are being held this week and next starting with Largo and Oxon Hill high schools Monday and ending with Bladensburg High School June 7.

“During one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history, the class of 2022 pivoted to virtual learning while keeping their focus on academic excellence,” Monica Goldson, chief executive officer of PGCPS, said. “Our hope and charge for the class of 2022 is continued strength and resilience along the journey to higher education and the workplace.”

This year’s highlights include the first graduates from the Online Campus and College Track at the Durant Center. The Online Campus launched in the fall as a new specialty program for seventh through 12th graders who thrived in the virtual learning environment. College Track at the Durant Center, which bears the name of NBA player Kevin Durant, provides scholarships, after-school tutoring and emotional and financial support to Suitland High School students all the way through college.

Additional celebratory notes about PGCPS students:

• Charles Herbert Flowers High School reported more than $45 million in scholarships, the highest total in the school system.
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School senior Cora L. Jackson is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, receiving $2,500 in scholarship funds.
• Twins Imrane Oumarou Ba and Mounira Oumarou Ba are valedictorian and salutatorian at Central High School. Their GPAs differed by just .04 (Imrane 4.53 and Mounira 4.49). Both will attend Louisiana State University.
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School salutatorian Osvaldo Hernandez once had limited English language proficiency. He now speaks five languages including French, Spanish, Russian and American Sign Language. He will study chemical engineering at Cornell University.
• Gwynn Park High School valedictorian DaMarr Savoy always competed with his siblings to see who could get the highest grade point average. He earned a 4.24 GPA and will attend the University of Maryland and major in computer science with a minor in business.
• DuVal High School senior Lester Paz will be the first in his family to attend college. Paz, a student in the school’s aerospace engineering and aviation technology program, will major in bioengineering at the University of Maryland. Paz is one of seven seniors who received the C.D. Mote Jr. Incentive Award, a full four-year scholarship to UMD.
• Tall Oaks High School valedictorian Angel Taylor corrected her poor attendance to become student government president. Her leadership skills will be put to the test as she hopes to become a Navy SEAL.
• Twelve seniors will receive four-year, full-tuition college scholarships from colleges and universities who partner with The Posse Foundation.