The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2019 was held at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC on Friday, June 7, 2019, at 2:30 pm.

Principal Carol Goddard welcomed guests by giving the first speech. She said, “It has been a privilege to get to know you all and be a part of the achievements that have gotten you to this stage.” She recognized that receiving their high school diploma was a big milestone for each graduate.

Goddard’s speech was followed by a performance of the National Anthem by the chambers singers while the school’s own ASL group translated along. Then SGA president Andre Tulloch and vice president Josephine Oshagbemi introduced the distinguished guests sitting on the stage beside them.

This included principal Carol Goddard, English teacher Chris Smith, chief operating officer Dr. Andrew Zuckerman, president of the class of 2019 Alexandra Aucoin, other class officers, and all the class administrators. The right side had members from the board of education, senior administrator Eric Jackson, and senior class sponsor Brittany Mcintyre.

Aucoin started her speech with a quote from Drake, saying, “No matter how dirty your past is your future is still spotless.” Aucoin said, “We’ve grown together as one and we will never truly be divided. Our class has achieved numerous goals securing our place as a legacy.”

Aucoin reminisced about the school’s soccer team reaching the state semifinals during the 2016 – 2017 season. The varsity football team got their first victory against Seneca Valley, the boy’s volleyball team hosted a home playoff game, and the track team won second place at the finals.

When Smith gave his speech, he announced he would also be leaving Watkins Mill with the class of 2019. He finished his speech by serenading the audience with the song “Remember Me” from the movie Coco before literally dropping the mic–his own, which he brought from home.

Seventy-six percent of Watkins Mill’s class of 2019 will be furthering their scholastic career. Thirty-four percent of the class earned a seal of biliteracy on their diploma. Four students will be serving in the military. Collectively as a class, they earned about $10 million in scholarships.