Lawrence High School Class of 2023 ceremony remembers senior lost in car crash
The Lawrence High School Class of 2023 came together one last time at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton for the high school’s 55th annual graduation ceremony June 22.
It was a bittersweet ceremony as the 306-member class recently lost one of its own. Daijah McKithen was killed in a car crash June 1. Her absence was noted by her classmates, who honored her memory during the ceremony.
Following tradition at Lawrence High School (LHS) graduation ceremonies, the Trenton Ancient Order of the Hibernians Pipe Band led the way onto the arena floor. School district administrators, school board members, faculty and staff followed the pipe band.
As Pomp and Circumstance played, the seniors walked purposefully onto the court. Their faces showed a range of emotions – from shy and bewildered, to big smiles and enthusiastic waves to friends and family in the stands.
Once his classmates had settled into their seats, class President Leo Backes welcomed his classmates, family and friends.
“So here we are, at the end of our senior year. It has been intense and transformative, and I would like to share some of my main takeaways,” Backes said. “First, no one really knows what they are doing. Struggle may be painful, but it is part of growing up.
“The second takeaway is that the most important thing is not to be flawless, but to show up – for themselves and for one another.
“We all witnessed and were a part of this recently, in the saddest of circumstances. In the immediate aftermath of losing Daijah, we showed up for one another. We provided each other with mutual support, safety and consolation,” Backes said.
“I know we are all thinking of Daijah today, and we will always carry her with us.”
Another takeaway is the grit that the Class of 2023 displayed, he said. They powered through seemingly insurmountable obstacles, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down in-person classes.
“It was a tough adjustment, but the class – which left as freshmen and returned as juniors – reclaimed its high school experience by showing up and sticking together,” Backes said.
In turn, Lawrence High School Principal David Adam praised the seniors for overcoming challenges and adversity. This class is more ready than previous generations of graduates to forge their own path into the world, he said.
“Life does not always go the way you have planned. Life is complicated. It has many twists and turns that you may not have easy answers for,” Adam said.
“Some of the greatest challenges we have faced this year have been the loss of loved ones, including beloved members of our LHS family like Daijah McKithen,” he said.
In the midst of the pomp and circumstance, a moment of silence was held in McKithen’s honor.
“Adversity in life is inevitable, but misfortunes do not have to keep them from reaching their goals and finding happiness that they seek in life,” Adam told the seniors.
“It is not where you start in life or the challenges that you face, but how you work to overcome them that will be a true reflection of your character.
“Regardless of where the road takes them, the seniors should take all that they have gained from their time in school and remember that they each take a piece of Lawrence with them,” he said.
Class salutatorian Milan Naropanth told his classmates that while they all set lofty goals for themselves and expect the road to be at least semi-clear, it doesn’t always work out that way.
“There will be bumps, grooves and detours on the way to their destination,” Naropanth said. “The final destination may not even be the one that they originally envisioned.”
Naropanth pointed to himself and his dream to play basketball professionally. He was not good at basketball, so he switched his focus to science. It took two attempts to make it onto the Science Olympiad team – the second time, without taking a test because of virtual learning, he said.
“I’m still trash at basketball and mostly mediocre at science, but I can say that my naiveness paid off in ways I could never imagine,” he said. “I met some of my closest friends, expanded my mind and finally realized that sports were not for me.”
There is something beautiful about going on detours that are initially annoying, he said, adding the path in life will never be easy, but his classmates can take their pains and make gains by trusting in their ability to bounce back.
“We live in a world that is never predictable. It’s important that we have a little faith in ourselves – to never let go of our childhood selves that would wonder why we are not trying in the first place,” Naropanth said.
Valedictorian Ethan Wang urged his classmates to overcome their fear of being vulnerable and to be themselves, just as they were in kindergarten.
Wang acknowledged that he is rather quiet, but as a young child, he was just the opposite. In fact, he was kicked out of daycare because he would not stop throwing temper tantrums, he said.
“But as I grew up, I felt this increasing pressure to hide my true self behind facades of whatever was popular at the time. We often lose parts of ourselves as we try to fit into molds cast by our friend groups,” Wang said.
The pressure to conform will only grow stronger, so it is up to them to make sure they don’t lose themselves in the process, he said, noting it would be nice to go back to elementary school days when they were not afraid to talk about every single interest they had.
“Never fear being vulnerable,” Wang said. “It is this vulnerability that lets us connect with others more deeply. I think we all have a bit to learn from our elementary school days when we were all unapologetically ourselves.”
School board president Patricia Hendricks Farmer, who graduated from Lawrence High School in 1986, said the school board’s wish for the seniors is to live their lives to the fullest and on purpose.
“The world is ever-changing and your voices are so needed. So, be brave, be bold and go out into the world and fulfill your dreams,” Farmer said.
After the speeches, the long line of seniors, one by one, walked up the steps to the stage. With a handshake from Adam and Superintendent of Schools Ross Kasun, they picked up their diplomas.
After the last senior crossed the stage, the announcer named one last senior, “Daijah McKithen.” The seniors and their families applauded and cheered.
McKithen’s family walked up the steps and onto the stage, carrying a large-framed photograph of a smiling Daijah. Her mother hugged Adam, Kasun and Farmer. She picked up her daughter’s diploma from Farmer and the family left the stage.
Adam called Bacles back to the front of the stage to lead the class in the traditional turning of the tassel on their mortarboard caps.
“Parents, guardian, fellow educators and guests and students, I am pleased to present to you the graduating Class of 2023. Leo, take it away,” he said.
With a turn of the tassel and amid a sea of red caps tossed high into the air, the Lawrence High School Class of 2023 is now part of its school history.
