The Spartans of St. Charles High School brought with them a wealth of memories June 4 during the graduation ceremony for the school’s Class of 2026.
Led by valedictorian Carly Newman and salutatorian Ryan Gloria, 396 St. Charles graduates earned more than $31 million in scholarship offers.
Newman asked her fellow graduates to go out in the world with empathy. “Empathy is something we are all familiar with,” she said. “[Expressing] empathy in meaningful ways is the highest form of wisdom one can possess. One’s ability to care beyond their own needs proceeds any level of education in my mind.”
Newman said that by making a conscious effort to implement moments of understanding in everyday life will leave an impact. “The empathy that I’ve been shown by friends, my teachers, my loved ones, to the empathy I’ve seen in my daily interactions will remain with me,” she said.
She urged her peers to show empathy to others and make the world a kinder place. “As you go out into the world after today, I hope you will continue to carry with you an outlook for understanding and positive change,” Newman said.
St. Charles students have experience displaying empathy and care for others. Tammika Little, principal of St. Charles, said she has seen how the class looked out for each other over the past four years.
“You supported one and other, you celebrated each other’s victories. You’ve demonstrated compassion during difficult times and showed resilience when faced with challenges,” Little said. “By doing so you’ve reminded us that strength is not about standing on your own, it’s about lifting others up along the way.”
The CCPS Class of 2026 included more than 2,260 students who earned more than $205 million in scholarship offers with more expected to be submitted. To learn more about graduation, visit https://www.ccboe.com/parents/graduation-2026. Watch graduation ceremonies and hear remarks from the graduates at the CCPS YouTube channel.
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).