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Graduation

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cially the limit on guests, but are grateful for the semi-normal graduation proceedings.

“Some of my family is flying out to come see me graduate, meaning I have to pick between them who I would rather see me graduate,” Woodgrove senior Lindsay Bergman said. “That’s kind of become an issue because my brother-in-law thinks I hate him and is mad that I’m not having him go, but it’s him or my brother, you know what I mean?”

“I feel sad because I would love if more of my family could come and watch me graduate, so it really limits a lot of family things that someone may have been able to experience before COVID, and the other guidelines really just make graduation not really seem like a real graduation,” John Champe High School senior Kayla Huycke said. “I feel that with a real graduation, you can have more people that you feel have supported you through this journey see you accomplish something huge and with the limits we have, that can’t really happen.”

Saanvi Kancherla, a senior at Briar Woods High School, said that, while she understands why the limitations are in place, she wishes she could bring all of her family to her graduation.

“I’m glad that they’re trying to do the best with current circumstances. It definitely sucks, but they’re trying.” n

Here is the 2021 graduation schedule:

Potomac Falls High School Wednesday, June 9, 7 p.m. Broad Run High School Thursday, June 10, 7 p.m. Stone Bridge High School Friday, June 11, 7 p.m. Park View High School Saturday, June 12, 8:30 a.m. Loudoun Valley High School Saturday, June 12, 9 a.m. Freedom High School Saturday, June 12, 7 p.m. Tuscarora High School Wednesday, June 16, 9 a.m. John Champe High School Wednesday, June 16, 2 p.m. Heritage High School Wednesday, June 16, 7 p.m. Loudoun County High School Thursday, June 17, 8 a.m. Riverside High School Thursday, June 17, 8 a.m. Woodgrove High School Thursday, June 17, 8 a.m. Independence High School Thursday, June 17, 9 a.m. Briar Woods High School Thursday, June 17, 2 p.m. Dominion High School Thursday, June 17, 2 p.m. Rock Ridge High School Thursday, June 17, 6 p.m.

Karen Xu is a senior at Freedom High School and completed her Senior Capstone Project at Loudoun Now.

New superintendent

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“We had facts, we had figures, we went back and forth, but we could not make a decision, until you stepped in. Not only stepping up to be interim superintendent, but making a profound decision that impacted the lives of our students,” Jeff Morse (Dulles) told Ziegler.

Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn) echoed that sentiment.

“I’ve seen him come into this role, save us, open up Loudoun County. I’m looking forward to his leadership,” Mahedavi said.

John Beatty (Catoctin) pointed to an example of Ziegler’s problem-solving. In January, he recommended buying desk shields to reduce COVID transmission in classrooms.

“I appreciated that you were trying something. Just that you tried something. It was a small thing, but that is just one of many things you bring to the position,” Beatty said.

While dealing with the pandemic would typically be a career-defining challenge for most people, Ziegler’s biggest challenges may still be ahead of him. County parents remain at odds about cultural issues, including the School Board’s equity work.

“After almost six months on the job, Dr. Ziegler has shown us what it means to be a strong leader in communication, tough decision-making, and providing empathetic and respectful learning environment for all—the mission of LCPS,” said Beth Barts (Leesburg).

“To our community, I thank you. I have heard your feedback loud and clear. I will continue to keep that communication going,” Ziegler said.

Ziegler said he had three goals when he took over in the interim role: to return students to in-person learning, to improve communications with the staff and parents, and to amplify student voices.

“We have been successful, if not perfect in all of those,” he said.

He expressed optimism to the community, saying that the coronavirus crisis is nearly over. He praised teachers and students for overcoming the challenges presented over the past year, while acknowledging that there is still much work to be done.

“Our students are hurting. They are experiencing racism and hatred in our buildings, and we need to take steps to mitigate that,” he said.

He also pointed to several of his initiatives to help students return to normalcy after the pandemic, including a student mental health task force, that was created last week.

Ziegler came to the school division in 2019 to take the top HR position. He began his career teaching special education at Portsmouth Public Schools in 1992. He went on to become an assistant principal within the Portsmouth school division.

He holds a doctorate of education from Northwest Nazarene University and is the 11th superintendent in the 104-year history of the school division history. n

Contributed

Newly appointed Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler. “After almost six months on the job, Dr. Ziegler has shown us what it means to be a strong leader in communication, tough decision-making, and providing empathetic and respectful learning environment for all— the mission of LCPS.”

— Beth Barts (Leesburg)