Columbia Heights Seniors Graduate

Columbia Heights High School seniors, 273 total, became alumni after graduating at a ceremony held on the high school’s football field.

The high school’s Class of 2023 included students who were heavily involved in extracurriculars, such as athletics, music, theater, student groups, and more. Their academic achievements are not to be overshadowed by their involvement in activities, as many students took Advanced Placement , concurrent enrollment and post-secondary enrollment options classes throughout their high school careers, enabling them to enter college already with college credits.

During senior Matt Rockwell’s speech to the graduating class, he spoke about growing up in a supportive community and school environment, which helped the seniors to where they are now. Rockwell focused on how being in the Columbia Heights community is what helped him and others thrive, stating that no matter where people end up after graduation, they should, “go out and be great. Remember, we will forever bleed blue and gold.”

Columbia Heights Public Schools is a diverse district filled with many cultures, ethnicities and languages, which creates an atmosphere on understanding and learning each day, but also presents a challenge to the students who may not have had the advantage of English being their first language.

Of the Columbia Heights High School senior class, 37% are English learners, which means that on top of the coursework and activities of being in high school, they are also doing everything in their second or sometimes third or fourth language.

Senior Naciima Mohamed also gave a speech during the ceremony, where she acknowledged that the people involved in the lives of the students should also be recognized during graduation, as it is a testament to their hard work throughout the years that the students were in school.

“Anytime anyone achieves anything, it is with the help of a thousand silent heroes, the selfless team players who offer their support, not to be recognized, but today it is those people that we need to thank,” she said.

Mohamed then took a moment to thank Columbia Heights Public Schools’ teachers and administration, the Columbia Heights High School custodial staff, the seniors’ parents and then recognized and thanked her family.

The seniors fill out a survey from the high school before graduation each year, indicating their post-graduation plans. As of June 8, there are 110 graduates who have been accepted and plan to attend four-year colleges, 60 accepted and plan to attend two-year colleges or tech schools, nine students plan on joining the armed forces, and an additional 18 students going to out-of-state universities.

Of those out-of-state students, Ji Qi Ni was accepted to Stanford University and plans to study Computer Science, and Mohamed (Gates Scholar) was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school, and plans to study Public Policy and Economics.

SOURCE: Hometown Source