The Senior Salute was held Monday, June 1, 2015. The ceremony recognized many seniors for their excellence throughout high school. The selected speaker, elected by the senior class, was Mrs. Theresa Wiltrout.

The ceremony started with opening remarks from the Senior Class President Alli Hammersla. Then, the staff awarded students with Departmental Awards. The following students were recognized:

Agriculture: Abigail Graham

Business: Timothy Baer

Project Lead the Way: Bailey Tregoning

Woodworking: Jonathan Seymour

English: Abagayle Hilton & Julia Peigh

Family and Consumer Sciences: Kaitlyn Byrnes

Mathematics: Bailey Tregoning & Joseph Bower

Dance: Jennifer Berardi

Drama: Deirdre Dolan

Instrumental Music: Shawn Verma

Vocal Music: Amy Safsten

Physical Education: Joshua Hall & Madison Ambush

Biology: Charlotte Knotts

Chemistry: Abigail Bladen

Environmental Science: Gabrielle Harris

Physics: Andrew Tran

Social Studies: Alexander Phelps

Special Achievement: Anna Spitale & Joseph Morris

Mentor/Internship: Rebecca Downs

Student Service Learning: Chaney Shultz

Work Study: Natalie Tugwell

Visual Arts: Erin Formulak

French: Rachel Strasburger

Latin: Avie Koronet

German: Jacob Dodson

Spanish: Gabrielle Harris

World Languages: Rylie Dufresne

Following the Departmental Awards, Principal Dave Kehne awarded the Principal’s Award to Riley Mack.

“Riley has been an inspiration to all at Linganore High School.  He is a motivated and enthusiastic learner,” said Kehne. “Through it all, Riley has demonstrated his ability to balance academic and extracurricular schedules and demands with his health.”

Riley was diagnosed with cancer in his junior year of high school. Between rigorous treatments, Riley managed to maintain his academics and excel in school and track.

Mr. Kehne also presented Robert Milburn with the Leadership Award. Milburn completed all levels of both the Project Lead the Way program and the Naval Science program. He is also involved in the NJROTC, jazz ensemble as a guitarist, and the Men’s Society.

 Mrs. Theresa Wiltrout was then introduced to speak. Wiltrout was chosen by the senior class for “not only the impact the teacher has made on the class, but also her exemplary character.” Wiltrout has taught biology classes at LHS for 12 years. Wiltrout, like the Class of 2015, is ‘graduating’ from Linganore this year, as she is retiring.

“You have become more independent and have had numerous opportunities to examine your conscience.  You could ask, what purpose has this journey served?  Tomorrow night you will receive a diploma that states you have successfully completed the high school course of study, but more importantly, you have completed the first leg of a journey designed to prepare you for the future,” Wiltrout said. “Tonight you stand at a crossroads where each one of you will now choose a new direction in your life’s journey.”

“We are confident that the preparation you have received here at LHS has provided you with a strong foundation. And it is our hope that as you go forward to meet these new and exciting challenges you will face them with courage, persistence, patience and a deep respect for yourselves and for others… Congratulations class of 2015, YOU DID IT!”

After Wiltrout’s speech, the following students were recognized for special awards:

Van Hollen Public Service Award: Bailey Tregoning

Diana Scarmazzi Football Scholarship Fund: Derek Wilson, Grant Waxter, & Connor Bannon

American Legion Gold Star Union 191: Grant Waxter

Army Reserve Scholar Athlete: Mary Caffrey & Andrew Tran

Governor’s Merit Scholastic (top 5% of graduating class): Corbin Austin, Abigail Bladen, Sean Blough, Ryan Boyd, Dierdre Dolan, Patrick Dougherty, Gabrielle Harris, Charlotte Knotts, Abigail Lyons, Rebecca Matthews, Christopher Platt, Sean Reifer, Amy Safsten, Livia Schuller, Emre Tkacik, Andrew Tran, Bailey Tregoning, Jacob Twigg, &  Katherine Zhou

LHS PTSA Scholarship: Kaitlyn Byrnes, Jake Tarte, & Matthew Graziano

LOUYAA Scholarship: Jake Tarte & Abigail Bladen

Marine Corps Scholastic Achievement: Emre Tkacik

Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete: Danielle Ferris

Marine Corps Semper Fidelis: Julia Peigh

Masonic Charities: Jake Tarte & Jessica Lombardi

National Music Awards: Shawn Verma & Shawn Murrie

Mount Airy Rotary: Jake Tarte

Mount Pleasant Ruritan: Patrick Dougherty

New Market Lions Club: Alexa Pratchios & Noah Sherrick

Student Peace Award: Ashley Zink

Navy ROTC Scholarship: Robert Milburn

Sons of the American Revolution: Robert Milburn

ACE Mentor Awards: (One Year) Sydney Garwood (Two Years) Alexander Peters, Sean Reifer, Bailey Tregoning, Rebecca Matthews

Boys/ Girls State: Braedon Bartrum, Elise Duda, Andrew Gelhard, Shyla Herndon, Emma Jarvis, Isabella Marcellino, Alex Reinhardt, Bailey Tregoning, Riley Wieseckel, Katherine Zhou, & Kira Zimmerman

Child Development Award: (45 Hours) Anna Spitale & Rachel Peterson (90 Hours) Morgan Arnette, Rebecca Barsey, Katilyn Byrnes, Rebecca Downs, Megan Hamlet, Allison Johnson, Emily Kapfer, Morgan Mack, Anagha Mandayam, Sabrina Nelson, Elena Nicoll, & Kaitlin Sheppard

Frederick County Career and Technology Center Awards were presented next. The following students were recognized:

Metals/Welding: Elizabeth Gould, Cleveland Hall, & Jacob Johson

Academy of Health Professions: Elizabeth Cordeiro, Samantha Marshall, Kristi Senft, & Brittany Whiteside

Auto Body: James Divel & Jacob Fowler

Automotive Tech: Christopher Cooper, Nicholas Ellis, Mark Geppi, John Jackson, Michael Stemple, Shane Stevens, Walter Stone, & William Traube

CISCO: Tanner Baker & Kyler Faith

Criminal Justice: Casey Alvarado & Trey Simpson

Culinary Arts: Hannah Reid & Natalie Tugwell

Digital Design: Devin Brosenne

Plumbing/ HVAC: Ian Luffred

Carpentry: Daniel Kossoy

Cosmetology: Rebecca Hobbs, Brielle Thomas, Jessie Turner

Then, Mr. Jeremy Brown gave recognition to each honor society. All members were asked to stand for applause after their society was called. Linganore Alumni were asked to stand for recognition as well.

 Kehne announced that the Class of 2015 was awarded $7,559,434 in scholarships and asked those awarded scholarships to stand.

“I feel confident that the contributions and accomplishments of this class are only just beginning,” said Kehne.

Closing the ceremony, Bailey Tregoning spoke.

“The Class of Two Thousand Fifteen would like to thank our families, friends, and the Linganore High School faculty and staff for all of their hard work and dedication over the last four years.  We especially want to thank Mrs. Wiltrout for speaking this evening, as well as our administrators and Student Services staff. We would also like to give our best regards to Mrs. Ann Andrex and Mrs. Theresa Wiltrout who are retiring at the end of this year.”

Congratulations Class of 2015! You made it!

Gallery • 29 Photos

courtesy of Victor O'Neill Studios