La Plata High School brought a triple threat – of sorts – to its graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 29. The Class of 2025 boasted three valedictorians. James “Trey” Roberts III, Sarah Dang and Claire Bright shared the title this year. The three collaborated when it came to delivering their addresses to touch on the past, present and future.

“While hindsight is 20/20, that doesn’t mean we need to carry constant worry, regret and doubt,” Roberts said. “Our past does build who we are and define who we are becoming, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a chain to hold us back.” Roberts will head to the University of Maryland, College Park in the fall to study mechanical engineering.

Dang, who will study computer science at the University of Maryland, College Park talked about the present and how the past four years have been a countdown to today. “We’re always rushing forward, trying to stay ahead and not fall behind,” she said. “We’re asked to pick a path, choose a future and define who we want to be even if we don’t know who we quite are right now.”

Dang urged her classmates to not overly worry about the future. “The truth is, we’re still figuring things out. And that’s alright,” she said. “Growth doesn’t have a [deadline]. It doesn’t follow a five-year plan or worry about its resume. It happens in its own time.”

Bright concluded the trifecta of valedictorians. She spoke about the days, weeks and years to come. “It’s my honor to look toward the future. I know it will be unique for each one of us,” she said. “We will all find our paths in our own time. Let’s search for both happiness and fulfilment from our accomplishments, the lessons we have learned, most importantly from our loved ones.”

Attending Davidson College in North Carolina to major in biology and environmental science, Bright said she will take with her words from her favorite author, Toni Morrison. The author once said, “For me, success is not a public thing. It's a private thing. It's when you have fewer and fewer regrets.” 

Bright asked her classmates to be proud of overcoming obstacles and grow from their regrets. “Let’s try to find gratification in our successes,” she said. “I wish that we all can continue to change for the better and ask that we avoid settling on a concrete path for now. We are young, so we owe ourselves the freedom of flexibility. I hope we continue to grow.”

The more than 315 graduates of La Plata earned more than $28.3 million in scholarship offers.

Members of La Plata’s Class of 2025 filmed a feature during which they reflected on their time in school. To view the video, click here.

Maurice J. McDonough High School seniors will graduate at 9 a.m., Friday, May 30, at Regency Furniture Stadium. Guests must have a ticket to attend ceremonies.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).