(Madison has graduated, so this will be her last column. We wish her well in her future years.)
Throughout the months of May and June, Kingsway students, especially seniors, were preparing for summer. With the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Prom, and Graduation, May and June got busy.
The Memorial Day Ceremony, which took place on May 24, honored fallen heroes and Kingsway’s veterans.
In addition to the Memorial Day Ceremony, the prom took place on May 31. Over 440 Kingsway seniors attended, and more than 60 outside guests attended as well.
Robert Scott and Rayna Dadhania were crowned Prom King and Queen by the senior class advisers Chelsea Valdera and Nicholas Fiocco after being voted for by the senior class. The rest of this year’s Prom Court included Dillon Dukes, Jacob Hamaty, Ian Farls, Sean Kirwin, Harrison LaBarbera, Allison Phalines, Gabriel Gonzalez, Madelyn Hicks, Rylie McFarland and Mary Wordelmann.
The venue was fitting for this year’s prom, with a large enough dance floor to accommodate everyone and a separate room for the food buffet and a photo booth.
Kingsway also held its 61st graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 15. The ceremony saw a delay due to weather conditions. The ceremony was intended to take place on Friday, June 14.
Following the last day of school, students were dismissed at noon and were expected to return to school at 3:30 to prepare for the ceremony. However, an email sent out by Superintendent James Lavender at 1:30 p.m. on that day informed students and parents that the ceremony would be postponed due to the possibility of scattered thunderstorms after 5 p.m.
Aside from the delay, the ceremony itself ran smoothly. Over 450 seniors graduated, many with honors. After the processional, the Presentation of Colors was done by the Navy JROTC, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Student Council Officers Dillon Dukes (President), Erin Moore (Vice President), Rayna Dadhania (Corresponding Secretary) and Anjuli Nair (Recording Secretary).
The National Anthem was then sung by senior Robert Scott, followed by a Welcome Remarks speech by senior Dillon Dukes and a Spirit of America award recipient recognition. The Charge to the Class was then delivered by student commencement speaker Sophia Johnson.
After the Latin Honors Recognition, Presentation of the Class of 2024 and Acceptance of the Class of 2024, senior Marisa Landi performed The Climb by Miley Cyrus. Following this was the Awarding of the Diplomas.
Class President Madeline Hicks delivered a final speech before the Turning of the Tassel, the Alma Mater performed by seniors in the KRHS Choir, and finally the recessional. Graduating seniors tossed their caps up in the air at the end of the ceremony, marking the end of their time at Kingsway and the start of a new chapter.
By Madison McNally
