PHOTOS: Chesapeake High Graduation

Natalie Bui came to the United States from Vietnam a little more than seven years ago unable to speak English and uncertain about her future.

On Tuesday, Bui was one of 244 Chesapeake High School students to graduate during the school’s 33rd commencement exercise, held at CCBC Essex. Bui’s future is now a lot more secure as she will attend Stevenson University in the fall with plans on majoring in nursing.

“It was difficult when we first came here because of the language barrier,” said Bui, who arrived in America with her mother Denise and younger brother Nathan. “We started with nothing, but my mom wanted us to have the opportunity to receive a better education.”

Bui said she wasn’t always sure college was an option, but credits her mother and many of her teachers at Chesapeake for helping put her on the right path.

She especially credits her AVID [Advancement Via Individual Determination] instructors for teaching her life skills such as improving her public speaking, studying techniques and how to be a team leader. Those skills were even more vital during Bui’s senior year as she and her family briefly moved to California before coming back after just a few months.

“My mom thought it was the right decision at the time, but realized we needed to come back here,” Bui said. “That was a very difficult time.”

Bui was just one of many students who took the opportunity on Tuesday to thank the faculty and staff at Chesapeake for helping guide them to this point in their lives. This includes Rachel Martinez, a one-time Patch contributor, who received a scholarship to Syracuse to study broadcast journalism. She was also honored as Baltimore County’s Young Woman of the Year.

“In my four years in high school I have seen hopes and dreams come true like never before,” said Martinez in an address to the audience. “Students have received full scholarships, joined the military and become first-generation college students.  Many of these dreams became our reality because of the dedication and commitment of the teachers and staff at Chesapeake High School.”

Chesapeake’s class valedictorian Reese Glidden told the crowd that graduation is a very emotional time in a person’s life, but also marks the start of a journey that can go any direction they choose.

“We’re all a little scared; I know I am,” Glidden said. “But as we move on from this last chapter in our lives it will fill some of us with sadness and some of us with fear. Tonight, many of us will break down and cry and others will jump for joy, while I’m sure some will do both.

“But I hope what all of us can do is take a look at our paths and move forward. Tonight there are infinite numbers of directions you can go with your life, and no one can tell you you’re wrong.”

Chesapeake Principal Maria Lowry told the Class of 2011 that graduation marks the culmination of four years of hard work, learning and success, and the beginning of the path of adulthood.

“Interestingly, this ceremony is called a commencement to mark the beginning,” Lowry said. “It marks the start of four years of hard work, learning and success for you as high school graduates. As your life changes and you assume the responsibility of college, full-time employment, the military or trade school, you will continue to lead us into the 21^st century.”