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The Southern Maryland Chronicle
When News Matters, It Matters Where You Get Your News.
WALDORF, Md. — Westlake High School held its graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025, at Regency Furniture Stadium, conferring over 310 diplomas and certificates to the Class of 2025. Delayed an hour due to field conditions from rain the previous day, the event began at 10 a.m. with valedictorian Maddox Cypress and salutatorian Gesselle Treminio Reyes leading the Wolverines into the stadium. The class collectively earned more than $28.1 million in scholarship offers, with Cypress and Reyes both securing full-ride scholarships to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Cypress, who will major in aerospace engineering, and Reyes, who plans to double major in economics and political science, addressed their classmates with messages of gratitude and resilience. “We’re standing here today because you stood with us,” Cypress said, thanking educators and the community for their support. He encouraged his peers to embrace uncertainty, stating, “Success isn’t reserved for those with a dramatic past or perfect plan. You don’t have it all figured out. You just need to show up and work harder and believe you have something to give to this world.”
Reyes, a first-generation American born to Latino parents, spoke of success rooted in perseverance and heritage. “What success really means in life. Success isn’t a medal or a title. It’s quiet decisions to keep going when no one else is watching you. It’s believing in a future you can’t see. It’s carrying your family, your heritage and your community in your heart even when the world tries to silence you,” she said. She emphasized the role of community, adding, “We are not self-made. We were raised by the hands of our community. Shaped by stories at our dinner tables, family traditions and the sacrifices made in silence so we could speak louder here today.”
Principal Dana Fenwick praised the Class of 2025 for their resilience, noting they were the first to start high school as freshmen after Covid-19 restrictions lifted, allowing in-person learning to resume. “You gave us hope,” Fenwick said. She described hope as an active force, stating, “Hope is not just wishful thinking. Hope is hustle, hope is showing up even when life gets heavy. Hope is believing there’s more ahead even when the road gets rough. Hope isn’t soft. Hope is like hip-hop. It’s struggle turned into rhythm. Pain turned into poetry; dreams dropped over a beat that never quits. Just like all of you.”
Fenwick urged the graduates to embrace their potential, saying, “The world needs your voice, your leadership and your light. You are the author of your story, and you are just getting started. … Walk with a purpose, move with pride and own your future. Class of 2025, you are proof that greatness comes from 3300 Middletown Road. So go out there, level up and don’t just make moves – make history.”
The ceremony highlighted the achievements of a class that navigated significant challenges, including the transition back to in-person learning post-pandemic. Students shared reflections on their time at Westlake, with memories captured in a feature available on the CCPS YouTube channel. The video showcases the school’s impact on its students and their aspirations for the future.
Westlake High School, located at 3300 Middletown Road, has a history of fostering academic and personal growth. The Class of 2025’s accomplishments, including their substantial scholarship earnings, reflect the school’s commitment to preparing students for higher education and beyond. As graduates move forward, they carry the lessons of resilience and community support emphasized by their speakers, ready to make their mark.
Show your love for Southern Maryland by powering authoritative, in-depth reporting about your community, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it.
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David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist passionate about uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories. Born in Baltimore and raised in Southern Maryland, he has lived in several East… More by David M. Higgins II, Publisher/Editor
The Southern Maryland Chronicle(SoMDC) is an all-digital news source for SoMD. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County. SoMDC covers every aspect of the SoMD Region and will continue to grow with the community. SoMDC appreciates all feedback from the community, along with tips, pictures, articles contributed, and support.
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