St. Charles High School kicked off the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) graduation season with its 9 a.m. ceremony on Tuesday, May 27 at Regency Furniture Stadium. 

The 415 Spartans of the school’s 10^th graduation class were led by valedictorian Tobi Ojo and salutatorian Jada Massey.

Ojo graduated with a 4.633 GPA and plans to attend the University of Maryland, College Park in the fall where he will major in computer science and musical composition. He asked his classmates to take the time to reflect on the past four years. “Before we cross this stage and into a new stage of our life, I want to offer a moment of reflection. One last look at St. Charles High School,” Ojo said. He conceded that for some high school was far from a perfect experience, but there was still room for reflection. “Despite the struggles, there are always silver linings and there are always pertinent lessons that can be taken from these years.” Ojo spoke of teams, clubs and students who excelled the past four years despite setbacks.

“Regardless of what held them back, students across the school have excelled in all sorts of ways,” he said. “Life after high school isn’t exactly easy. It comes with many freedoms but many challenges. No matter how you live your life, it is inevitable that some point you will face great problems. You could give up, let the challenges overwhelm you. Or you could model St. Charles and strive for excellence.”

Massey, who is set to study biological sciences, physiology, and neurobiology at the University of Maryland, College Park this fall, reminded her fellow graduates to continue to learn and learn about themselves.

“It has been a long four years, full of tests both inside and outside of school,” Massey said. “Trying to summarize the last four years of high school felt impossible.”

She sought advice from her friends. Some didn’t like their time in high school, others called it transformative. “No matter what words we try to use, there are no real words that can encompass and define the last four years,” she said. Massey urged her fellow graduates to remember what they have learned over the past four years. “What you have learned about yourself – your strengths, your passions, your dreams,” Massey said. “I hope as we leave high school and walk our own paths in the future that each of us realizes there is still a lot to learn.”

Members of the St. Charles Class of 2025 recently reflected on their years as Spartans. Watch the video on the CCPS YouTube channel.

Henry E. Lackey High School is set to graduate at 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 28. To view a complete schedule of CCPS graduations, visit www.ccboe.com. Guests must have a ticket to attend ceremonies. Those attending a CCPS graduation ceremony should continue to check www.ccboe.com for the most up-to-date information about any inclement weather plans. 

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).