Class of 2005 graduates

Blair graduated an estimated 741 seniors from the Class of 2005 inside the Jericho City of Praise church on the morning of June 2, 2005. The three-hour long ceremony honored the graduating class' perseverance and dedication, according to remarks by Principal Phillip Gainous.

After musical selections from Blair's Symphonic Band and Chamber Choir, speakers including Charles Wang, the senior class advisor, Tigisty Berhe, the senior class SGA vice president; Alejandra Barberena, the president of the senior class, Principal Phillip Gainous and Valerie Ervin, member of the board of education and parent of a Blair senior, all gave brief addresses.

Shortly after the beginning of the ceremony, Barberena gave her final address to the Class of 2005, telling her peers to never stop trying and to never forget their Alma Matter. "My fellow Blazers dig deep and dream big," said Barberena. "The future is in our hands."

The keynote speaker of the ceremony, introduced by Senior Class Secretary Daniel Aisen, was Andre Williams. Williams, a member of the Blair class of 1985, a former recipient of the Terry Hicks Scholar-Athlete award and a sports reporter for the Morning Call, gave an uplifting speech. In his address, Williams stressed the importance of perseverance to the seniors. "Be strong and don't be discouraged," said Williams.

In his address, Williams also called for a moment of silence on behalf of recently deceased senior Andrew Helgeson, who would have received his diploma during the ceremony with a Certificate of Outstanding Service.

The last dignitary to give an address was Ervin, who spoke of the various trends and milestones that took place during the graduates' lives but noted that unlike Pokemon, memories from high school will last a lifetime. Ervin, like previous speakers, emphasized that high school graduation is only the beginning of the long road ahead.

Following the addresses, each senior was called to receive their diploma often accompanied by raucous applause. Helgeson's diploma was accepted by his parents carrying a portrait of their son. As the parents crossed the stage, they were met with a standing ovation from both students and the entire Blair faculty.

After the presentation of diplomas, Barberena took the stage and invited her senior class to take part in the traditional "Turning of the Tassels," thus concluding the graduation ceremony.