Joyful, grateful 2024 NNPS graduates receive diplomas


Posted: June 11, 2024

Candidates for graduation embraced their classmates, thanked teachers and staff, and looked back in gratitude and forward with exuberance at Newport News Public Schools 2024 commencement exercises.

A total of 1,684 graduates from six high schools crossed the stage on June 6, 8 and 9 to receive their diplomas.

The Class of 2024 started high school with a remote learning freshman year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and journeyed through four years of growth and development to become college, career and citizen-ready. Student speakers at graduations spoke about the importance of learning resilience through managing challenges, adapting and valuing the bonds that united them with classmates as a community.

An Achievable Dream High School
An Achievable Dream High School

An Achievable Dream High School held its Commencement ceremony on June 6 at Christopher Newport University's Ferguson Center for the Arts.

"Today is the day that we have been counting down to," said An Achievable Dream Valedictorian Aniyah Serrette. "It is such a bittersweet moment because it feels like we were just in ninth grade on Zoom. Time really does fly in high school.

"And before you know it, it's graduation day - the moment that starts our journey of our future, the moment we go out into this world and prove to anyone who has doubted us that we made it, the moment that we do not let limitations prevent us from becoming successful, the moment that we make an impact on the world around us."

View An Achievable Dream's graduation photo album, ceremony video and event program.

At Hampton Coliseum, Denbigh, Warwick and Woodside held graduation ceremonies on June 8, and Heritage and Menchville conducted commencement exercises on June 9.

Denbigh High School
Denbigh High School

"Tonight, we celebrate not just our academic efforts, but the growth we have achieved as individuals and as a class," said Denbigh Valedictorian Michael Sibley, Jr.

"We have learned valuable lessons about resilience, integrity, responsibility, time management and the importance of staying connected. We have developed critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to face challenges head on that will serve us well in the future."

View Denbigh's graduation photo album, ceremony video and event program.

Warwick High School
Warwick High School

"The only person you need to be better than is the one you were yesterday," said Warwick Valedictorian Maxyn Hallare. "No one's watching as intently as we think they are, so don't let the fear of scrutiny stop you. Try everything, find your thing and do it with gusto. Fall and get up, laugh and learn, make mistakes and charge forward relentlessly."

View Warwick's graduation photo album, ceremony video and event program.

Woodside High School
Woodside High School

"As I look at all of you, I see a generation of future leaders - doctors, professional athletes, engineers, artists, musicians, humanitarians and so much more," said Woodside Valedictorian Aaron Lin.

"We have learned from all of our experiences at Woodside, even the challenges. For example, our freshman year was spent learning through black boxes on Zoom. Today as we walk across the stage, we face the challenges of adulthood."

View Woodside's graduation photo album, ceremony video and event program.

Heritage High School
Heritage High School

"I stand here today not just to celebrate our achievements, but to remind each of you that no matter what obstacles you may face, you are not alone," said Heritage Valedictorian Mya Vincent. "In the face of adversity, let love be your guiding light. Let it fuel your resilience, your determination to rise above the challenges that lie ahead."

View Heritage's graduation photo album, ceremony video and event program.

Menchville High School
Menchville High School

"Two words have changed my entire outlook on life - choose change," said Menchville Valedictorian Lillian Krikorian. "They've opened my mind to thinking outside the box to come up with solutions to almost any problem. Don't like how an essay is going - choose change, start fresh and rewrite it.

"Want to be better at a sport or skill - choose change, stop being lazy and go practice. Feel like people are being mistreated - choose change, say something about it. If at any point a solution fails, revert back to these two simple words - choose change. There's always another way."

View Menchville's graduation photo album, ceremony video and event program.

Graduation ceremonies will air throughout the summer on NNPS-TV on Cox Channel 47 in Newport News and Verizon FiOS Channel 17, and will be streamed via www.nnpstv.com, Roku and Apple TV.

Click image to download pdf
Click image to download pdf of NNPS Top 10 Grads 2024