Cumberland High School recently held its graduation — the class celebrating itself as the first completely born in the 2000s and honoring a fallen classmate.

“As a class we know we’re the greatest class in the history of classes,” said Brandon White, student government association president in his remarks during the commencement exercise on Friday, May 17, in the school’s gymnasium.

Principal Eugene Williams Jr. ran off a lengthy list of accomplishments for the class of 2019, including five Governors School graduates and 25 associate degree recipients issued the week before at Southside Community College’s Keysville campus — with two in the seventh group to earn their welding certification and one earning an automotive certification. Graduates will go on to attend colleges and universities such as William and Mary, Howard, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, Liberty, Virginia State and Hampden-Sydney. The class earned over $400,000 in scholarships and financial assistance to two and four-year colleges and technical schools.

Michaela B. Woodson may not have been with her classmates in person, but her presence was strong throughout the evening.

Michaela, 16, and her sister, Tyauna Woodson, 14, were killed April 26, 2017, when their car crashed into the Willis River off Bonbrook Road in Cumberland County on their way to school.

A painting of Michaela, accompanied by flowers and an honorary diploma, set among her classmates.

In her remarks, Salutatorian Autumn Holman noted the class suffered “losing a friend and amazing person.”

And the crowd gave a standing ovation for Principal Williams’ announcement that “in honor of all Michaela meant to Cumberland County and what she meant to this class” she was being honored with an honorary diploma.

In turn, family members, who organized the Michaela & Tyauna Woodson Memorial Scholarship, presented $10,000 scholarships to Devon Reed-Rivera and Cailey Hurley.

Williams exercised his belief in speaking things into existence. “I can’t wait for these Cumberland graduates to be released into the world because they will be the type of people who will be followed, liked, and admired not because of their money, fame or looks but because they cared about their fellow man to serve them, and love them and push them to greatness.

“The prominent African-American scholar Dr. Cornel West once said, ‘You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people’ … And my greatest hope for all of you is that you will lead with love because as I tell you every morning over the announcements, ‘Mr. Williams loves you and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.’ Peace and blessings to Cumberland High School’s class of 2019.”