Centennial High School - Eyrie Yearbook (Ellicott City, MD)

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On the night of May 31 came the the final cere- mony which marked both the coming of age of Cen- tennial High School and the emerging into a new life of the 183 members of the first graduating class. As Mr. Fortunato reminded the audience, the students had spent their 'first ten years in many different schools and faced problems, chal- lenges, and obstacles in order to become the unified class which sat on the stage that evening. When Lori Bimestefer spoke on behalf of the Senior Class, she, too, commented about the diffi- culties of submerging past loyalties. But Lori ex- pressed enthusiasm for the school and the poten- tial of the class, and so did Bruce Richardson. Bruce's speech, characterized by both light and serious moments, concluded with his telling the audience that no goodbyes were needed for the Class of '79, Take a look at the world and the fabric of life and you will see us. The keynote speech-commmending the stu- dents for their enthusiasm and open-mindedness- was given by Frederick K. Schoenbrodt, a 16-year veteran of the school board and father of Lisa, one of the 1979 graduates. Superintendent Thomas Goedeke also expressed his pride in this first gradu- ating class of Centennial High School and pro- duced a burst of applause when he asked the gradu- ates' parents to stand. Many scholarships were announced and presented. After each graduate had processed across the stage and received his diploma from Mrs. Sue Buswell, school board pres- ident, the Class of 1979 was recognized one last time when, in concert, they turned their tassels and stepped buoyantly out of the auditorium to a rousing ovation. , Graduation 209

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Centennial,s First Class Graduates 1 'Q CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Kathy O'Donnell receives her long-awaited and cherished dip- loma from Mrs. Susan Buswellg The eternal cheerleader, Mr. Fortunato praises the graduates for providing leadership: The proud father of the Class of 1979 congratulates Delanie Rice on re- ceiving a scholarship from Delta Beta Phig Lawrence Wong, gradu- ating at the top of his class, is one of ten graduates to receive recognition from Senator James Clark for being in the top five percent of the classg Mike Mc- Grain, recipient of an award for outstanding carpentry from Vo- Tech, makes 'his way on stage dur- ing the processionalg One of the two student speakers, Bruce Rich- ardson delivers a subtley humor- ous address. Among other things, he noted that graduation was a prelude to Ocean City and a time for serious thinking and ser- ious partying : Lori Bimestefer speaks ofthe coming together and unification ofthe Class ol' 1979. 208 Graduation

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Centennlal s First Class Sets Goals, Being a senior meant more than taking twelfth grade courses: it meant sitting for senior portraits, holding the annual feast, and plan- ning the first semi'-formal dance 3 it meant initiating a special Sen- ior Day, ordering graduation an- nouncements, and being measured for caps and gownsg it meant being the guests of the Junior Class at the Prom, traveling to Great Adventure Amusement Park with 114 other seniors, and participating in numer- ous other activities ' culminating four years of high school. But being a senior at Centennial also meant being a leader in serious endeavors and paving the road for others to follow by setting up tra- ditions. It meant being involved.