Seniors Shine at AHS Awards Night

Arundel High School’s diverse strengths and personalities were highlighted on the evening of May 19 during the school’s senior awards assembly.

Students were recognized for their musical talent, academic discipline, and athletic prowess.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this class,” Principal Sharon Stratton said, “this class has lifted us up and moved us ahead as a school. It is through their accomplishments that our school has been recognized throughout the state and nation.”

“I remember this class when they walked through the doors as freshman. They were different. They were special,” Stratton said. “They came in here focused. They came determined. They came passionate and they came caring. They focused on goals and their aspirations,” she said.

The class includes a National Merit Finalist, a National Achievement Semifinalist and a Maryland Distinguished Scholar. Eighty-three percent of the class have taken at least one Advanced Placement or honors class.

The class of 2011 has received more than $10 million in scholarship money and “we are still counting,” Stratton said. More than 13 athletes have been signed by four year universities. Eight seniors have fully paid college tuition for four years.

“Two of the three Maryland students accepted at Yale have come from Arundel High School this year,” Stratton said. One of them, Molly Sinnott, the class valedictorian, has decided to attend Yale.

“We are really, really excited and so proud of her,” said Sinnott’s mother Mary, “She has been working hard since her first day of freshman year.”

“It is a race to the finish for salutatorian, so we are not prepared to announce that,” Stratton said.

At the encouragement of teacher Denny Meyers, three students – Dominique Davis, Courtney Dystant, and Candace Bethune-Brown – were given a standing ovation upon their late arrival in track uniforms. The students had not been present to accept their academic awards because they were competing at the girls track regionals. They announced that Arundel would be going on to compete in the state track competition.

Three students received military appointments. Joseph Kidwell, who graduated two years ago, is currently attending the Coast Guard Academy. He returned to Arundel to announce the appointment of his brother, Stephen, to the Academy.

Throughout the evening students spoke or performed about what they had learned during their years at Arundel. Things learned ranged from artistic skills, to philosophical discoveries to practical advice.

Attendees were treated to performances by senior members of the choir, as well as to solos and duets by various students.

Stephen Kidwell learned that “some things are hard, really hard.” And that “often we perform best when we have nothing to lose.” He encouraged his classmates to “go for it.”

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