235 make EVHS history

Two-hundred thirty-five graduates became part of Eastern View High School and local history Friday night, becoming the first group to graduate from the school.

Clouds and a few intermittent sprinkles of rain briefly prompted officials to consider moving the ceremony indoors, but the sun eventually re-appeared, the skies cleared and the evening ceremony went on as scheduled outdoors in Cyclone Stadium.

“The first remark I need to make is that we were truly building on the shoulders of greatness,” said EVHS principal Roger Mello. He thanked the teachers, staff and students of Culpeper County High School for their shaping the lives of the Eastern View graduates, many of whom came to EVHS from what was for decades, the county’s only public high school.

“Class of 2009, I love you guys,” Mello said as the entire stadium erupted into cheers and applause. Mello added that he hopes that many of the students will eventually return to Culpeper and enrich and serve the community again.

Class President Leonard Richards Jr. also praised his fellow classmates — many by name — for stepping out to serve the community and each other in a variety of roles.

“What really made my senior year a success was the spirit of my classmates,” he said. Graduate Shelly Rossi, who was among six honor grads who spoke at the ceremony, agreed.

“I am fully convinced that we are prepared for success,” she said, her voice filling with emotion as she finished her speech.

Waiting in the auditorium to march out onto the field, another honor graduate, Nastasja Martel, said that she found her first and last year at EVHS surprising and was pleasantly surprised to find strong school spirit and enthusiasm. But she reflected that the occasion was bittersweet too.

“It saddens me today because I realize that this is the last time we’ll all be together,” she said.

As EVHS staff briefed the graduates on a few final points of the graduation ceremony, many students took the opportunity to snap photos on cell phones or engage in some reflection.

“I really did get senioritis,” admitted graduate Denetris Turner. The break however, likely won’t be long as Turner said she plans to attend culinary school.

“I can’t wait,” said Cody Whitlock as he walked out of the auditorium for the last time as a high school student. Whitlock said he’s headed to Patrick Henry College, where he plans to play baseball.

An estimated crowd of more than 2,000 family and friends filled Cyclone Stadium, including about seven young nieces and nephews who came to cheer on graduate B.J. Minor, according to family member Nicole Melvin.

Before heading outside, students were told to wait until they had been pronounced graduates before shifting the tassels on their mortarboards. Across the auditorium, hands crept up to touch the ornaments one last time.

“Don’t make me come out there,” Mello joked.