MANASSAS, Va. -- After Anna Marie Putzer walked across a stage in Osbourn Park High School’s gym to accept her diploma Thursday night, she lifted the document high above her head.
Smiling and turning the white folder so all could see, Putzer held it over her graduation cap as she returned to her seat.
Putzer was one of about 75 adult education students who received diplomas during Thursday’s ceremony.
About 270 high school students who completed their high school graduation requirements during summer school also graduated Thursday night.
“You’ve come a long way to be here tonight,” summer school principal Mark Roadarmel told the graduates. “Remember this night and be proud of your achievements.”
In her commencement speech, Hortense B. Hinton, the provost of Northern Virginia Community College’s Manassas Campus, told everyone in the audience to stand up and applaud the graduates’ achievements.
Then she told the graduates to stand up, first to applaud for everyone who helped them get there and then for themselves.
“Probably in your life there have been a lot of naysayers,” Hinton said. “People who said you couldn’t do it, who said you wouldn’t be here tonight. This is your time to stand up and show off.”
Hinton said many of the students had to overcome obstacles such as financial and health problems to make it to their high school graduation day, and many tried more than once before graduating.
“You have done a lot to get here today,” Hinton said. “You are success stories.”
Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-530-3908.
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