Sumner Class of 2023 Students and Families,
I am proud, blessed, and grateful to be the principal of Sumner High School for our second commencement yesterday. Thank you to my faculty and staff and our seniors who made it such a wonderful ceremony.
First, I would like to CONGRATULATE the Class of 2023 on graduating from Jule F. Sumner High School. Our seniors have endured starting a new school, many COVID obstacles (that took away some student events), and other challenges along the way, but they are resilient and pushed through to graduation. Well Done, Stingrays!!
I extend a special thanks to the Sumner High School Band, Orchestra, and Chorus and their directors, Ms. Revae Ross, Ms. Tiffany Eady, and Rick Estes for their participation in yesterday’s ceremony. I also want to thank our Senior sponsor, Ms. Kim Wines, our Success Coach, Michelle Scolaro, our AICE lead, Kristy Baker, and our school counselors, Carlisia Shepherd, Patricia Stanislowski, Courtney Bobo-Mackenzie, Romina McEachern, Marshica Rankin, Angela Blackmon, and Nicole Bernard for their help with our seniors this year.
It is with special pleasure that I recognize the families, friends and special guests of the Class of 2023. Their accomplishments have helped us establish a reputation for excellence enjoyed by Sumner High School and have set a standard for future classes.
Sumner is an extremely diverse school, and our motto is Unity Through Diversity and the Class of 2023 exudes this way of thinking. Each individual member of this class has made their own contribution to Sumner High School during his or her career. Their accomplishments have been remarkable. There are an astounding 222 members on the senior honor court; which means that they graduate with a grade point average between 4.0 and 7.48. 90 students have a grade point average of 5.0 or higher. 58% percent of this class is graduating with a grade point average of 3.0 (equivalent to a B) or higher. 369 seniors have taken an AICE course and over 70 students will graduate with the coveted international AICE diploma. 5 seniors, Lucille Heath, Chi Mai, Samantha Mueller, Julia Ngo, and Ethan Varn, are graduating with a perfect unweighted GPA of 4.0, meaning these students earned straight A’s through high school.
The class of 2023 has helped us start new traditions and the accomplishments of this class have set a standard of excellence for all classes to come. Graduates, if ever we can have the opportunity to help you in any way, please remember that Sumner High School will always be a place that you can call home. Today is only a chapter in a book that is not yet finished.
I would like to wish you all the absolute best in the future. You have made us proud! Go out and be OUTSTANDING, not good. #RAYSup
Rob Nelson, Principal, Sumner High School and Academy 2027
