Prince George’s County Public Schools
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (May 23, 2022)—Graduation celebrations [began] Monday, May 23 in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) as more than 7,000 seniors prepare to walk across the stage.
The Class of 2022 boasts approximately $200 million in scholarship awards and acceptances to hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide. Ceremonies will be held over the next two weeks, starting with Largo and Oxon Hill high schools on Monday, May 23 and ending with Bladensburg High School on Tuesday, June 7.
“During one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history, the Class of 2022 pivoted to virtual learning while keeping their focus on academic excellence,” said Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer. “Our hope and charge for the Class of 2022 is continued strength and resilience along the journey to higher education and the workplace.”
This year’s highlights include the first graduates from the Online Campus and College Track at the Durant Center. The Online Campus launched in the fall as a new specialty program for seventh through 12th graders who thrived in the virtual learning environment. College Track at the Durant Center, which bears the name of NBA player Kevin Durant, provides scholarships, after-school tutoring and emotional and financial support to Suitland High School students all the way through college.
Additional points of pride:
• Charles Herbert Flowers High School reported more than $45 million in scholarships, the highest total in the school system.
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School senior Cora L. Jackson is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, receiving $2,500 in scholarship funds.
• Twins Imrane Oumarou Ba and Mounira Oumarou Ba are valedictorian and salutatorian at Central High School. Their GPAs differed by just .04 (Imrane 4.53 and Mounira 4.49). Both will attend Louisiana State University.
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School salutatorian Osvaldo Hernandez once had limited English language proficiency. He now speaks five languages including French, Spanish, Russian and American Sign Language. He will study chemical engineering at Cornell University.
• Gwynn Park High School valedictorian DaMarr Savoy always competed with his siblings to see who could get the highest grade point average. He earned a 4.24 GPA and will attend the University of Maryland and major in computer science with a minor in business.
• DuVal High School senior Lester Paz will be the first in his family to attend college. Paz, a student in the school’s Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology Program, will major in bioengineering at the University of Maryland (UMD). Paz is one of seven seniors who received the C.D. Mote Jr. Incentive Award, a full four-year scholarship to UMD.
• Tall Oaks High School valedictorian Angel Taylor corrected her poor attendance to become student government president. Her leadership skills will be put to the test as she hopes to become a Navy SEAL.
• Twelve seniors will receive four-year, full-tuition college scholarships from colleges and universities who partner with The Posse Foundation.
For more student success stories, photo galleries and a list of upcoming ceremony dates, visit the
all-things-graduation hub Future Ready: https://www.pgcps.org/future-ready
This article is from PG Post, written by their staff Press Officer. To read more articles like this click here.
Photo: The Frederick Douglass High School’s Class of 2022 walks inside Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro during the school’s commencement ceremony on May 24. It marked the first time in two years since Prince George’s County public schools held commencement exercises at the arena because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
