Football coach Larry Hurd congratulates graduate Gigi Relacion as she walks to her seat. Graduates filed into their seats from behind the building at the beginning of the ceremony.

A graduate looks off into the distance while waiting to be let into the stadium. The ceremony ran around 30 minutes to an hour late this year.

Board of education member Julie Yang makes her speech. She represents district 3 in her role on the board.

Graduate Janaiyah Inniss makes a heart with her hands at the photographer. Her “I” last name put her towards the middle of the graduating class.

Graduate Alicia Barnett smiles at the crowd as she receives her diploma. Different graduates had different amounts of tassels depending on how active they were in their high school community.

Graduates step off the stage after receiving their diploma. Due to the number of students graduating, the receiving of diplomas went as fast as possible.

Graduate Noah Harper points to the crowd as he walks across the stage holding his diploma. Harper plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University next fall.

Graduates wait to go up onto the stage and receive their diploma. About a week ago a practice graduation was held at WJ before the real graduation.

Graduates are congratulated on the jumbo screen above the stage. Graduation lasted several hours this year.

Famous ESPN reporter and WJ alum Tim Kurkjian makes his speech at graduation. He spoke about how his years in high school influenced him and the lessons he learned during his years of sports writing experience.

Graduates watch commencement speeches on the floor of the stadium. The students were sat in lines by last name alphabetical order.

Principal Jennifer Baker makes her annual commencement speech at graduation. This year she spoke about the dangers of ChatGPT and the importance of authenticity.

Senior class President Andrew Plotnick takes a BeReal of the audience at the end of his speech. Plotnick also spoke at graduation.