It's an exciting time for Howard County Public School System's high school seniors. Graduations at Merriweather Post Pavilion began last week and will continue with Mt. Hebron High on Thursday, May 28, and conclude on Friday, May 29, with two more Ellicott City schools, Centennial and Howard High.
It doesn't seem that long ago that I, too, was a HCPSS high school senior ready to walk across the commencement stage. I am forever grateful for the outstanding education I received in elementary through high school.
The 1980s in Howard County provided students like me with a close-knit community where we felt safe and nurtured and gave me access to new schools and development that would revolutionize city planning. It was a great time to be a Howard County kid.
Now, three decades later, I am experiencing graduation from a different point of view — through the eyes of my son Charles Regnante, a Centennial High School senior. I don't often mention my family in this column. In fact, in the six years I've been writing this monthly column, I've purposely limited mention of my two boys — Charles and Thomas, a Centennial High School sophomore.
However, this year is different. I've watched my oldest son and his friends grow from wide-eyed kindergartners leaving home for the first time on the school bus into mature, responsible adults who drive themselves to school. They are curious about the world and they have enough confidence and hope to make it a better place for future generations.
I know that Charles and his classmates are eager and ready to experience life beyond high school. I'm excited for them to spread their wings and fly to new, uncharted territory.
Come this fall, his new residence will be at American University's School of International Service. I have no doubt that Charles will succeed in his new educational pursuit. He brings with him his thirst of knowledge, his dedication to excellence, and his perseverance that he developed growing up in Ellicott City.
Congratulations to Charles and all the high school seniors this year. You make us proud.