by Aidan Trump ‘21

Sherwood’s in-person graduation ceremony is set to be held at the Caruso Memorial Field on June 11, at 9 a.m. Those in attendance will be subject to CDC  and Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Covid-19 safety measures. The ceremony will feature speeches from the commencement speaker, senior class officers, and the student speaker.

On May 18 the Montgomery County Council sat as the Board of Health to chart the new course for Montgomery County’s reopening. Encouraged by the increased levels in vaccination the council voted to loosen county Covid-19 restrictions. Most notably, the council’s resolution set May 28 as the end of all county Covid-19 restrictions, including those pertaining to high school graduation ceremonies. On May 28 “all conduct and business in Montgomery County must follow any State or MDH requirements that are in place,” according to the council’s resolution. More information regarding Sherwood’s graduation ceremony will be made available during the in-person graduation rehearsal held on June 3 at 10 a.m. at Sherwood’s Caruso Memorial Field. 

Sherwood alumni Scott Van Pelt (‘84) will deliver his second commencement address to Sherwood (his first being in 2006).  Van Pelt hosts ESPN’s prestigious sports news program, “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt,” among a variety of other shows. Van Pelt’s address will differ from his last. “The themes will be similar. But the world has changed massively in the time since I spoke last,” said Van Pelt. “Sherwood will always be special to me. It takes me back to a very different time … I had so much fun there and never, ever, imagined I’d be asked to speak at the graduation … I’m very grateful to be asked to come back.”

Addresses will also be given by student speaker Noah Ngimbi, and the senior class officers, President Paige Snyder, Vice President Ethan Manlapaz, Secretary Alexis Le, and Treasurer Zoe Rubin. 

Le is looking forward to delivering her speech. “I’m very excited to speak at graduation because it’ll be like getting to talk to everyone that I’ve missed,” said Le. “I hope the rest of the seniors realize … we have just as strong of a bond as any other class and we should treasure the memories we did get to make in our unique high school experience.” 

Senior class sponsor Pamela Johnson wants seniors to reflect upon their high school careers with pride. “[I hope seniors feel] a great sense of accomplishment, ready to take on whatever life has in store for them,” said Johnson. “Our seniors are resilient and strong in challenging times as they have demonstrated this year.” Johnson’s remarks epitomize what the graduation ceremony is aiming to get across to this year’s Senior Class.