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HP Seniors Lauded at Annual Honors Ceremony

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Blanket Award winner Mary Catharine McKeithen, valedictorian Lauren Murski, salutatorian Victoria Piranian, and Blanket Award winner Rodman Steele are all smiles following the Senior Honors Day celebration. (Staff photo: Elizabeth Ygartua)
Blanket Award winner Mary Catharine McKeithen, valedictorian Lauren Murski, salutatorian Victoria Piranian, and Blanket Award winner Rodman Steele are all smiles following the Senior Honors Day celebration. Click on the photo to view a full gallery of the assembly. (Staff photo: Elizabeth Ygartua)

This morning, Highland Park High School seniors took part in the age-old tradition of “Blanket Awards” and scholarship announcements, much to the delight of students and parents alike.

“Honestly, I thought it was kind of shocking,” valedictorian Lauren Murski said of receiving her honor. “There are so many smart kids here.”

In addition to the school’s 82 scholarships and awards that highlight stars of all subjects from nursing to athletics to literature, the 2014 seniors collectively earned $15.6 million in scholarship money from the colleges they will soon attend.

“This school has given me so much and means so much to me,” said Blanket Award recipient Rodman Steele. “I love this place.”

The ceremony also honored the students who will graduate cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude, as well as the top ten graduates, salutatorian, and valedictorian.

“Really, with what you’ve already done as a class and what you realistically can accomplish in your lives, you make me very humbled,” principal Walter Kelly said. “It’s that hope; it’s the hope of combining what you’ve done and what you can do that really provides the inspiration for these awards and these honors.”

Graduation ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. tomorrow at SMU’s Moody Coliseum. Congratulations to all of our stellar graduates!

Author

Sarah Bennett

Sarah Bennett

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