A graduating class that teachers and administrators say was among Hammond High School's most polite and goal-oriented bid farewell to the school yesterday at a commencement ceremony that filled the University of Maryland Baltimore County's field house.
Parents, grandparents and friends cheered as the last of the 245 graduates received a diploma, a handshake and a yellow flower marking the end of four years at the school.
Throughout the ceremony, students reminisced about their high school careers and talked about the future
. Graduating seniors Paul Menard and Meg Garber recalled some of the world events that took place during the four years they spent in high school.
They cited the fall of the Soviet Union, the reunification of Germany and basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson's announcement that he was infected with the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome, an announcement that brought the disease "a little bit closer to home," Miss Garber recalled.
Guest speaker Al Sanders, a Channel 13 news anchor, told students always to dream.
"Just as you're about to reach it, expand your dreams" so that there will always be something to look forward to, he said.
Of the 245 graduating Hammond students, 64 percent are headed to four-year universities and colleges, 18 percent are going to community colleges, 11 percent will enter the world of work, and 2 percent will enter the military, business schools or technical schools. The rest of the students did not respond to the survey.
Among the graduates were:
* Keisha Jett, who will be going to the University of Florida in Gainesville on a full athletic scholarship. A track champion, she had four years of perfect attendance.
"When I went into Hammond High School, there was only one senior who had perfect attendance," she said. "That's something I wanted to see if I could do. I did it. I'm proud of myself."
* Stacy Louk, this year's Student Government Association president. "Our senior class is enthusiastic," she said. "A lot of the faculty tell us we're the best class that has ever entered Hammond. . . . We're all friends. It's a fun atmosphere."
* Mark Paskin, one of the school's three National Merit Finalists and a Maryland Distinguished Scholar. "The school's motto here is 'Where People Are Important,' " he said. "A lot of people make fun of the motto, and I do myself. But the teachers and administrators really do care."
1994 HAMMOND GRADUATES
Cortney Lynn Adams
Tracey Yvonne Alexander
Bryce Todd Armstrong
Ryan Tyler Armstrong
Matthew Locke Arnold
Neil LeRoux Arnold
Brandon Wesley Ayres
Sandra Marie Bathgate
Blake Jeffrey Barber
Pedro Barbosa, IV
Jonathan Alexander Behm
Merrill Dana Bender
Elizabeth Ann Bielefeld
Pamela Lynn Bishop
Kristina Lynn Borys
Michael Paul Boswell
David Edward Brewer
David Marcel Broach
David James Brooks
Traci Lynn Bumgarner
Danyette Quantia Burke
Rachelle Donne Butler
Stacy Cassandra Butler
Julia Nicole Calvert
Ata Damania Caillet
Sonya Jo Campbell
Jason Scott Cardinal
Marquita Leatrice Carpenter
Lisa Brady Carr
James Martin Carter
Elisa Diane Cashiola
Matthew Edward Cezar
Charles Hugh Chapman, Jr.
Eugene Won ChungAndrew William Clark
Aaron Marcus Cohen
Daa'iyah Suad Cooke
Christina Marie Cox
Jessica Lynn Cyran
Elizabeth May Bounds Davis
Steven Michael Davis
Christopher Michael Day
Colleen Ann Delaney
Ellen Hammond Denny
Sarah Ann Denton
Carly Samantha Derr
Brandi Lynn Dickman
Cristina Lyn Dispenza
Melissa Anne Dorsch
Amber Dawn Duckworth
Heather N. Easton-Sanders
Heather Christel Eitemiller
Melanie Ann Enslow
David Gregory Esmond, Jr.
Lori Michelle Esposito
Nathan Jamil Essey
Aurelio Samuel Evans
Katherine Ellen Evans
Karen Elizabeth Fink
Antwane Vashawn Foreman
Keir Janine Fowler
Kristine Noelle Fox-Diven
Giacomo Joel Franco
Mark Edward Frank
Brandi Frazier
Ana Cristina Friesema
Marie Elizabeth Garber
Jennifer Edith Gardner
Lisa Marie Gieszl
Deanna Novine Giddings
Charles Edward Givens, Jr.
Michael Shawn Glass
Rachel Michella Gleaton
Matthew Grason
Troy Bruce Green
Dylan Joshua Greene
Julie Lynn Greer
Jessica Beth Hadley
Shane Patrick Hall
Aron William Hansen
Amy Christine Hanson
James Elliott Harry
Jennifer Sharon Haskell
Michael Hunter Hawes
Aamer Mohammed Hayat
Rachel Haley Himmelheber
Jill Kristine Hoffhines
Charles Nigro Holmes
Angela Maria Honorio
Isaac Christopher Hoskins
Leigh Ann Hume
Isaac Earl Hunter
Bianca Kai Isaki
James Alfred Jackson, Jr.
Rachel Leigh Jaffe
Michele Lynn Jardina
Lakisha Chanee Jett
Janine Lynnette Johnson
Dominic Lionel Jones
Margaret Anne Jordan
Julie Mae Kaiser
Ross Alan Kaplan
Amit M. Kapoor
Nina Maria Karppi
Jonah Nathan Kaye
Christine Lynn Keane
Amy Elizabeth Keighley
Sonia Ellen Keiner
Matthew Thomas Kelly
James Martin Kennedy
Lisa Michelle Mandy Kilroy
Justin Ryan Kirchner
Kristina Jean Landin
Tara Danielle Langsner
Theresa Margaret LaPolla
Drew Erik Larsen
Justin Curtis Lavis
Brian David Law
Susan Marie Lebel
Shannon Marie Lee
Diane Marie Lehmuth
Regina Lyne Lewis
Stacy Ann Louk
Danielle Renee Lowery
Brian Jaranilla Lozare
Phatima Delilah Madison
Marci Katherine Malchak
Christina Marie Martucci
Sara Mazzorini
