Howard High Graduation 2013

Howard High School celebrated the graduation of 428 seniors at a sweltering ceremony at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Wednesday evening.

The graduates wore the Lions’ colors of navy and white and were reminded of the dangers of the social media culture that emerged while they were students, but also instilled with a sense of hope as they moved onto the next phase in their lives.

“Today will be the last time we’ll all be together,” said Jason Blackwell, to his fellow students. “One thing will always bind us together. We are and forever will be the Howard Lions Class of 2013.”

There were YOLOs and Twitter references made, but the fast-paced culture of today’s online world was probably best summed up in the speech by teachers Matt Cox and Tyler Petrini. Their dual speech was composed of references to pop songs from the past four years.

“Yes, despite your bad romances, any black and yellow bruises you experienced along the way, you shot across the sky, let your colors burst and made us go… oh,” said Petrini.

But while the teachers had the students’ attention, they also shared their wisdom.

“Embrace and learn from your epic fails,” said Petrini. “Recognize that true friends will accept what’s best for you and will work with you to help reach your goals,” said Cox.

Howard’s principal Gina Massella gave a sobering speech about the dangers of modern social media technology.

“Teens have allowed themselves to lead much more public lives at the mercy of social media,” said Massella, who advised that the way to manage it all was with “balance, balance, balance.”

“While you can’t control other people, you can control yourself,” said Massella.

Graduate Isiah Anderson, who delivered the opening speech, advised his fellow students that you only have one life to achieve your goals and make yourself happy.

“I hope today you are as excited as I am to carpe the diem out of whatever comes in life,” said Anderson.

Do you have any photos from Howard's 2013 graduation? Upload them above.