London Central High School class of 2007 salutatorian Kathryn L. Dittmer delivers her address during last week's commencement ceremony. (Bryan Mitchell / S&S)
London Central High School class of 2007 salutatorian Kathryn L. Dittmer delivers her address during last week's commencement ceremony. (Bryan Mitchell / S&S)
Janet Parker, left, and Ramona Villareal, sing the national anthem during the commencement ceremony for the London Central High School class of 2007. (Bryan Mitchell / S&S)
The members of the London Central High School class of 2007 turn their tassels at the end of the commencement ceremony held at All Saints Parish Church of High Wycombe. (Bryan Mitchell / S&S)
Friends and relatives of the London Central High School class of 2007 capture the ceremony on still and video cameras. (Bryan Mitchell / S&S)
HIGH WYCOMBE — The Parish Church of All Saints opened its 500-year-old doors for one final London Central High School commencement ceremony last week.
The 44 members of the Class of 2007 said goodbye Thursday to their past and hello to an unknown tomorrow during an hourlong ceremony that left the audience and graduates teary-eyed.
“It’s still like it’s not real, even though we’re here in this church,” said salutatorian Kathryn L. Dittmer an hour before giving her address to the packed church. “I know it exists, and we’re about to graduate, but it’s still hard to believe.”
The commencement slogan on the program said “We saved the best for last,” in reference to the school’s closure after this academic year.
That seemed to hold true given the impressive graduates, most of whom are heading to universities and colleges in the United States, Canada and Europe.
The ceremony also provided the class’ talented singers a chance to shine. Dittmer bellowed a stirring rendition of “God Save the Queen,” and Janet Parker’s and Ramona Villareal’s duet of “The Star-Spangled Banner” missed not a note.
“It’s almost like there’s some extra pressure, being the last class, for everything to go perfect,” Villareal said before she and Parker performed a practice run of the national anthem.
Parents flocked to the stone church from across England, Europe and beyond.
London Central was the only boarding school in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools system; and students come from all over the planet.
Onan Floyd was a teacher at London Central and also the proud father of a 2007 graduate, Tripp Floyd.
“It’s an incredible experience for all of us,” Onan Floyd said. “I know we’re all honored to be part of the last class here at London Central.”
But like any commencement, it was a day not only to reflect on the past, but look to the future. And valedictorian Leah K. Flake closed her address on that note.
“We are brave, and we will make it,” she said.
