Upper Marlboro, MD – Nearly 270 eager teens have marched out of Patuxent High School (PHS), ready for life’s next challenge. The Lusby school’s latest class of graduating Panthers received diplomas Thursday, June 4 at Show Place Arena.

After a final pep talk from PHS Principal Michael A. Watson, the grads are now awaiting the knock of opportunity. Watson explained the mission of educators is to show pupils “how to turn opportunity into success. You must be open to the opportunity.”

“We must earn the privilege of being special,” stated graduate of distinction speaker Surjo Bandyopadhyay. “Chase excellence, success will naturally follow.”
Bandyopadhyay, who has earned 11 scholarship grants and plans to attend the University of Maryland College Park in the fall, credited his parents for his impressive success. Quoting Sir Isaac Newton, Bandyopadhyay declared, “if I have seen further than others it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

“I overbooked every minute of my life,” said class president Savannah Garber, who will advance to the next level of ‘Panther-hood’ when she enrolls at the University of Pittsburgh this fall. The class leader told her peers to savor their experiences while they are occurring. “No matter what you do keep yourself in the moment,” said Garber.

At least 50 of the PHS Class of 2015 members plan to remain in the area and enroll at the College of Southern Maryland. Others are headed for colleges and universities in other regions of Maryland or out-of-state to institutions in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida and North Carolina. At least 13 graduates intend to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Musical selections rendered during the ceremony included “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked,” performed by the PHS Chamber Choir Seniors and Orchestra Seniors; Arie, Burch and Harrington’s “There’s Hope,” performed by Kathrin Bizzarro, Steffen Gotsch and Taylor Connelly; and “Armed Forces—The Pride of America, performed by the PHS Music Department. The Chamber Choir Seniors sang the Star Spangled Banner.

As they did at all four of Calvert County Public Schools’ high school graduations, Board of Education President Tracy H. McGuire and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel D. Curry praised the graduating class for their achievement and wished them great success in the future.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com