Woodlawn High School Holds 46th Commencement

Class of 2008 Receive Diplomas

The Woodlawn High School Class of 2008 held commencement exercises at UMBC on May 27, 2008. Congratulations to my son, William and to all of the graduating seniors at Woodlawn and everywhere!

For the 46th year in a row, Woodlawn High School celebrated the commencement of its class of seniors. The Class of 2008, donned in red caps and robes, proudly filed into the nearly 400 seats in the arena of the UMBC Retriever Activities Center on May 27, 2008. The graduating class, as well as family, friends, administrators, and faculty who were in attendance all shared a special accomplishment with regards to Woodlawn High School. They all have endured, they have perservered, and they have overcome a medley of challenges over the last four years.

The Class of 2008 is responsible for taking the lead in recreating the image of the school. Exhibiting focus and determination, most of the seniors have become leaders among their peers and excellent examples for other young men and women. 

Kwami Williams

As of graduation day, 34 graduates have scholarships to attend their chosen colleges and/or universities. Magnet Valedictorian, Kwami Williams, has become a spokesman for the class to the delight of fellow students, school administrators and advisors. Mr. Williams was awarded a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He also received a Ben Carson Scholarship and a Black Professional Men Ray of Hope Scholarship. Kwami and his fellow Woodlawn Robotics Team members have been featured in the Woodlawn Villager many times for their local, regional, and national achievements. He was also the spokesman for the school’s 100 Strong Male Role Models, a group who reached the eyes and ears of Oprah Winfrey earlier in the year.

Saad Ayyub

As accomplished as Kwami Williams is, the Woodlawn High Class of 2008 boasts several other phenomenal individuals. Traditional Valedictorian Saad Ayyub joins Kwami as a member of the National Honor Society. Tranae’Hardy, Magnet Salutatorian, is also a member of the robotics team and a major contributor to the school’s award winning literary and art magazine, Wawayoka.

Other outstanding seniors include 100 Strong President, Jermaine Issaac, Yajaira Nix-Simmons, William Hayward II, Jeremiah Thompson, Candace Blue, Jasmin Chapel, Chauncey Hanshaw, amber Brown, Jerrett Christian, Ibrahim Diallo, Vincent Kelley, Klara Kim, Shauntez Garrett, Kelsey Nelson, Darien Foster, Randall Leneau, Chayla Flemming, Hollis Reid, Latricve Barnes, and Joshua Scott--all recipients of 2008 Woodlawn Excellence Awards.

All of the students mentioned above, and several who were not mentioned, by exhibiting maturity, professionalism, dedication, and exceptional academic skills, are helping to make Woodlawn High School a model school in the community. These students have enabled the Woodlawn Villager to accomplish our unchanging mission of promoting and celebrating the "wonders" in our community. Thanks to you, we have had an abundance of "good news" to report to our readers.

 We congratulate each of the graduates and their families and extend an invitation to keep us notifified of continued successes as you venture on to bigger and better opportunities. We are truly proud of each of you.