HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Seniors marked a new beginning for Harrisonburg’s newest high school, and spent their Friday afternoon preparing for the first-ever commencement.
It has been a year of firsts for students and faculty at Rocktown High School, which just completed its first academic school year. Plans were in the works for years to construct a new high school, due to overcrowding at Harrisonburg High School. With the school year now over, it was time for Rocktown to graduate its first seniors.
Rocktown High School Assistant Prinicipal Kelly Troxell said the school graduated around 203 students.
“The seniors have been vocal in what they wanted to see happen at Rocktown and into the future, so it is bittersweet to see them leave, but we are very excited about their futures,” Troxell said.
She said graduations are special because they highlight the academic achievements of students through grade school.
“It is sweet to see them all here. There is a lot of excitement and some nervous energy, but the accomplishment of making it through their academic career and moving onto the great things that I know our students will do and become is amazing to watch,” Troxell said.
Troxell said Rocktown expereinced a lot of firsts this year, while building a new community with students, teachers, and staff.
“Opening the building was a huge endeavor and it could not be done with out so many of our community members,” Toxell said.
The commencement was held on June 7 at the JMU Atlantic Union Bank Center.
