Graduation Ceremony // Class of 2015

The graduating class of 2015 was honored at the Woodward Academy commencement ceremony today. This year's class consisted of 20 seniors who earned their high school diploma and 10 individuals who completed their Hi-SET tests (a high school equivalency). The ceremony took place in the WA gymnasium with parents and family members, teachers and dorm staff, and the entire student body in attendance. Jeremy Hilbert, Woodward Academy's principal, welcomed everyone, and then in an emotional speech, told each senior how proud he was of them and that it was a privilege to be their education leader this past year.

Governor scholar Julian Acker and Ankoma Riddick gave the senior speeches and offered some thoughts to their fellow graduates. Both have made the most out of their senior year at Woodward Academy. Julian plans to attend Job Corps in the fall while Ankoma will attend college and play football on a scholarship he earned after this season.

The keynote address was given by Jerry Anderson, Woodward Youth Corporation President. The first part of his speech gave the graduating class a history lesson about Woodward Academy. As the only staff member who has been with WA for the past 20 years, Jerry is more than equipped to reflect back and see how far the school was come. In many ways, the growth of the Academy mirrors the growth made by these students. Mr. Anderson  assured them that their growing has only begun and that they have great things ahead of them.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2015! You can see pictures from the ceremony on our Knight Pics website by clicking here.