The North Point High School Class of 2026 choose the Tears for Fears 1985 classic, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” as its class song.

The lyrics detail the drive some people possess to gain power and have control and how that can lead to corruption. “The lyrics are very relatable to our lives today,” Principal Daniel Kaple said. “Highlighting continuing concerns – global conflicts for control, privacy and personal data, the environment and short-lived financial success.” The words bridge generations and encourage people to not tie happiness and joy to the accumulation of power and other fleeting, temporary things. “Ultimately in life we find ourselves chasing feeling and moments that are not meant to last forever,” Kaple said.

Valedictorian Argun Gang will study mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the fall. “It’s not only important to live life aligned with your own ideals for your sake but also for the sake of those all around us,” he said. Garg spoke of the best piece of advice he ever received.

“You say you’re a good person – then show me,” he said. “I want receipts, I want evidence. You’re a good person because you do good for the world.”

Noah Williams, the class salutatorian, will attend Princeton University to major in political science and economics.  He said he stared at a blank Word document for a while as he embarked on his speech. It led to him reflecting on his time during high school. Williams said he kept thinking about the phrases he heard, like “I wish,” “I could’ve,” or “What if?”

“At the time, these phrases didn’t bother me. And they are normal to hear when you’re coming to an end of an era,” he said. But the phrases became more concerning to him. “We’re all barely 18 years old, if not younger, and carrying around feelings of regret. And the thing about regret is it forces you to live your life retroactively.”

Williams warned his peers that living with regret is dangerous. But celebrating events like graduation is important. “It is not only an opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved, but what we will achieve,” he said.

Before North Point conferred 458 diplomas, Kaple sent the graduates off with a familiar line.

“Welcome to your life,” he said. “There’s no turning back.”

The members of North Point’s Class of 2026 earned more than $61 million in scholarship offers. CCPS graduations will resume Wednesday, June 3, with Henry E. Lackey High School’s ceremony set for 9 a.m., and Westlake High School’s commencement at 1 p.m. To learn more about CCPS graduations, visit https://www.ccboe.com/parents/graduation-2026.

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 39 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).