Class of 2011 Says Goodbye to Lankenau High School

According to Mado-Sue Dembele, valedictorian of 's Class of 2011, there was greatness in room during the school's commencement ceremony Monday at the New Covenant Church on Germantown Avenue. 

"Now is the time for you to become the great individuals you were meant to be," she said to her 77 classmates. "In the crowd behind me there may, just maybe, be the next president of the United States."

Although the soon-to-be-graduates were thinking about the next chapter in their lives, Principal Jacqueline Bentley encouraged them to take a moment and reflect on the journey that got them to graduation. 

"Today we celebrate you," she said. "Everyone has worked hard to get here."To highlight all the students' handwork, Bentley gave out a number of academic and character awards. 

Dembele received the Principal's Award, Shekiethia Keele took the Striving for Excellence Award and Quadir Lewis was named the class' most valuable student for his personal and academic achievements. 

A number of students also receiver college scholarship to universities including Penn State, Millersville, Delaware, Howard and Temple. 

Tyler Gavin, the master of ceremonies for the day, acknowledge that is wasn't an easy road to get to today. 

"It's been tough, but for the most part it's been amazing," he said. 

Gavin and Tierra Andrews, the class' salutatorian said they hoped that their classmates would continue to aim high and, "in a world where they could be anything, to be themselves."

Omar Sakoor, of the Concerned Black Men's Association, urged the students to cultivate their potential, develop a willingness to be uncomfortable and create a legacy. 

"You may not be completely sure of your direction right now but that's the beauty of education… it is like water, it will allow you to adapt," he said. "When water in a creek hits a rock, it just moves around it, that is what education allows you to do."