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PHOTOS: Eastern Tech Graduation

The 40th commencement exercise at the Essex school celebrated academic, athletic accomplishments of the Class of 2011.

Eastern Technical High School celebrated its 40th commencement exercise with 269 graduates on Monday at CCBC Essex.

In attendance at the event were State Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier, Dr. Joe A Hairston, Superintendent of Baltimore County Schools, along with his Assistant Superintendants Dr. Roger Plunkett and Barbara Walker.

Student class president Tayvon Wade, who plans to attend St. John's University where he will major in accounting, gave the introductions to the event.

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“Eastern Tech is a school like no other,” Wade said.  “These four years were the best times of my life.”

Valedictorian Phillip DiGiacomo gave his fellow students life advice in his speech, and softball and volleyball star Elizabeth Bondarenko addressed the crowd.

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Then Principal Thomas G. Evans spoke and reflected on the accomlishments of the Class of 2011, which earned a collective $5 million in scholarships. During their four years, the schools earned National Blue Ribbon status, was ranked among the best high school's in the country and even won a Class 2A state title in football.

“On behalf of our faculty and staff I want to start by saying congratulations to the class of 2011,” Evans said. “They have been an outstanding class both academically and athletically.”

Evens went on to thank the parents and families, and give a special thanks to Klausmeier.

He then recognized each student as they walked across the stage to the cheers of excited friends and family members.

“Eastern was a really great four years for me,” said Bondarenko, who will attend the University of Maryland in the fall. “This is where I met all my friends, I played softball I played volleyball and I did really well in school."

In the weeks leading up to graduation, many Eastern Tech seniors admit receiving their diploma is bittersweet. The students are ready to move on to the next chapter in their lives, but are nervous what the future holds as they see a fragile economy and uncertain job market awaiting them.

"I relieved to be done with high school, but I'm still waiting to see what will be out there for us," said Devra Brace, who will attend the University of Delaware. "I feel like I'm ready for that next step thanks to Eastern Tech. I'm especially thankful for teachers like Mr. [Robert] Spivey, my U.S. history teacher who wrote my reccomendation letters and pushed me to succeed."

Another graduate, Corey Rudolph, said prior to graduation that his experience at Eastern Tech motivated him to want to pursure a career in law. He plans on attending UMBC where he will major in political science.

"The teachers here helped us be passionate about our work," Rudolph said. "I just hope that the job market is better in seven years [when I expect to finish law school] than it is now."

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