Class of '23 set to graduate 253 during ceremonies Saturday

~ PVN staff report

Page County Public Schools is set to graduate 253 local students between two ceremonies set for 10 a.m. at Luray High School and 6 p.m. at Page County High School on Saturday, June 3. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed for those not able to attend in person. (See links below.)

Nearly 46 percent of the local graduating Class of 2023 (116 students) plans to further their education at various colleges, universities or trade schools. Nearly half of those students (52) will be attending four-year colleges or universities this fall — 20.5 percent of all local graduates.

Five members of the local Class of 2023 will graduate high school with two-year associate degrees earned through dual enrollment classes at Laurel Ridge Community College. Another 27 graduates have earned one-year certifications through Laurel Ridge, while 28 others earned professional certifications at the Page County Technical Center.

Nearly 200 scholarships were awarded between local organizations and higher education institutional grants valued at around $2 million combined between the two high schools (if all renewable scholarships are utilized for four years).

While the bulk of the county’s graduates will immediately enter the workforce, at least 10 have signed up for military service.

Below are graduate stats provided by each school in the county:

LURAY HIGH SCHOOL — Class of 2023

137 graduates
30 will be attending a four-year college or university
29 will be attending a two-year college
6 will be attending technical schools
6 will be entering the military (2-Army, 2-Marines, 1-Navy, 1-Coast Guard)
61 will be entering the workforce
3 are undecided
2 have other educational plans
113 scholarships projected (86 received)
$1,272,123 in projected scholarships awarded
83 local scholarships totaling $55,150

LHS Class of 2023 academic achievements provided by the school:

25 Seniors are Distinguished Scholars – 4.0 or higher GPAs
7 Seniors are Honor Graduates – 3.8 -3.99 GPAs
24 Seniors are Honor Students – 3.3 – 3.79 GPAs
77 Seniors have GPAs of 3.0 and above
8 Seniors had all A’s for their entire 4 years of high school
30 Seniors are Early College Scholars (have 15+hours of transferable college credit with Advanced Diploma and B average)
65 Seniors (almost half of the class) earned Advanced Studies Diplomas (additional math, science, social studies, foreign language requirements)
19 Seniors are in National Honor Society
21 Seniors are in Spanish Honor Society
2 Senior earned Associate’s Degree (2 year degrees) from Laurel Ridge Community College concurrent with high school
18 Seniors earned Certificates in General Education or a Health Science Certificate (1 year degree) from Laurel Ridge concurrent with high school
28 Seniors completed course requirements and received a certificate at Page County Technical Center

PAGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL — Class of 2023

116 graduates
22 will be attending a four-year college or university
14 will be attending a two-year college
9 will be attending technical schools
4 will be entering the military
$70,453 just in local scholarships (includes Laurel Ridge & PCTC)

PCHS Class of 2023 academic achievements provided by the school:

• Top scholarships received: Princeton University, Marta Milam- $67,540 per year; Bridgewater College gave three scholarships to Cari Aleshire ($33,000), Hayden Plum ($29,000) and Sydney Cubbage ($29,000) all renewable; and EMU awarded a $23,000 renewable scholarship to William Ramos.

• Laurel Ridge Governor Scholar graduates (1 year): 9

• Laurel Ridge Associates Degree graduates (2 year): 3

PAGE COUNTY TECHNICAL CENTER

The 28 professional certifications earned this year include: