Clover Park Graduates Take Final Steps On the Path of the Warrior

Their green-and-gold journey is complete.

On Monday evening,  the 164 members of Clover Park High School’s Class of 2011 became high-school graduates. Commencement exercises at the Tacoma Dome featured inspirational speeches by grown-ups and graduates alike, as well as a choir performance and, of course, diplomas.

 “May your dreams be worthy, and at all times, may you live with honor and humility,” principal John Seaton said in his opening address.

It was clear that for many of those donning white and green caps and gowns, their dreams started long ago. These students worked hard and played hard to get to this day.

“It feels really good,” said senior Marcus Sheppard, who will attend Morehouse College on a full Navy scholarship and study biology. “I’ve been waiting for this all my life.”

Sheppard said that having such a great senior year both academically and athletically – he played on the Warriors’ state championship basketball team – makes it hard to leave Clover Park.

“I want to stay because I’ve had success,” he said, “but I know I need to go.”

Sheppard was one of 28 honor graduates wearing a special medallion, all of whom achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher for all four years of high school.

The graduation program boasted an impressive roster of awards and achievements earned by members of the Class of 2011, including one student who alone amassed more than $1.2 million in scholarships.

In addition to friends and family members in the stands, the graduates were joined on the floor of the Dome by their former elementary- and middle-school principals.

And on the eve of a new horizon, the graduates received some advice.

“Today, you stand on the brink of a new chapter in your lives,” said CPSD Superintendent Debbie LeBeau, who told the students that the education they received at Clover Park has laid the foundation for their future successes.

 “Dare to dream,” LeBeau urged the graduates. “Realize your potential. Dare to chase your chosen career; dare to excel in everything you do; dare to go the extra mile; dare to show compassion.

“Dare to make your mark on the world,” she said. “You are the future.”

In accepting the Class of 2011 on behalf of the CPSD School Board, Director Paul Wagemann said that teacher is more than academic instruction.

“It is providing love and support,” he said in commending Clover Park’s staff for doing just that.  

Wagemann pointed out that based on how much the district spends per student every year, for a student to go from kindergarten through 12^th grade, it would be an investment of more than $110,000.

There were also moments of humor.

In his address to his peers, senior-class speaker Genesis Faumuina apologized to their parents “for all of our complaining about getting up, the calls from teachers,” and, he added with a sheepish smile, “the occasional office visits.”

The other senior speaker, Rainsong Jack, said that she once thought it was cool not to care about what others thought, but after four years of high school, now realizes that “life is so much happier when you slow down and realize what is important – and that is you.”

After the ceremony, graduate Monica Ngo stood outside the Tacoma Dome with a newly acquired giant star-shaped balloon. She plans to attend community college and then transfer to Washington State University.

“It’s really hard to believe,” she said of high school being over. “But it feels really great. I’m so glad I’m here.”