December 4, 2018
On November 20, the Distinguished Graduate Organization recognized six Linganore graduates for their achievements in the areas of Business, Academics, Public Service, Sciences, Arts & Humanities, and Athletics. Class of 1999 graduate Shannon Hammond received the 2018 Distinguished Graduate award for Business. She is the founder of Hammond Law, LLC, a firm that specializes in elder law. In early 2018, she also started a real estate brokerage with her brother, Justin Grubby.
During Hammond’s speech at the Distinguished Graduate ceremony, she had lots of advice for the Class of 2021. She emphasized the importance of perspective when going through high school. In addition to this, she told many stories about her experiences at Linganore and praised the teachers who influenced her.
Hammond talked a lot about how her failures, which seemed devastating at the time but actually helped her in the long run. “Falling short doesn’t mean failure–it means earning your stripes.”
She encouraged students to “stay present in the moment. The things that seem to matter so much won’t matter in a few years.”
After the ceremony, Hammond toured the school with Class of 2019 President Shay Arneson and Class of 2020 President Emily Webb. She visited a sociology class taught by Mr. Darren Hornbeck and an accounting class taught by Ms. Leanne Elsemore. During the tour, students asked questions about her career, how Linganore put her on her path for the future, and her time during high school.
“It was really interesting to hear about someone who is so successful that went to Linganore,” said sociology student junior Khelsa Connolly.
Hammond ended her speech with an important piece of advice for not only the freshmen, but for everyone. “Extend kindness and friendship to people in every group. We are all just human beings trying to live peaceful lives.”
Her dedication to kindness and service proves that she, without a doubt, deserves the title of Distinguished Graduate.
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