Hoover High School celebrates 647 graduates in Class of 2016

Hoover High School’s graduation on Thursday night buzzed with energy and excitement. Throughout the nearly 70-minute ceremony at UAB’s Bartow Arena, countless hoots, hollers, claps and cheers erupted from the close-to-capacity crowd.

But regardless of the method of expression, all sought to convey one sentiment: proud jubilation.

The Hoover High Class of 2016 graduated 647 seniors who were accepted into 181 colleges and universities, including Brown University, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt.

What’s more, the decorated class boasted six National Merit Finalists and four Presidential Scholar nominees. Collectively, 47 percent of Hoover High seniors earned scholarship offers that amounted to $37.8 million, and they accepted $11.5 million in scholarships.

 “It is truly awe-inspiring where the last 13 years of formal education has landed us,” said Nancy Nkoudou, a future Brown student who served as president of the school's senior class.

Additionally, six graduates are slated to join branches of the U.S. military, while one received an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

During his speech, Hoover Principal Don Hulin, a former member of the U.S. Air Force and Louisiana National Guard, thanked the military-bound graduates for their commitment and sacrifice.

Hulin also commended the entire graduating class for its flexibility, independence and commitment to the high school and the community. Furthermore, he acknowledged that the Class of 2016 will be one of the first in the nation to graduate students with either the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma or International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition to the Alabama high school diploma.

Hoover is one of only 136 schools in the United States to offer the AP Capstone Diploma.

After recognizing the class’s prolific academic, athletic and fine arts accomplishments, Hulin closed with a word of heartfelt praise.

“Class I love you, congratulations,” he said.  

Salutatorian John Hyunjoon Shin (heading to the University of California, Berkeley) identified graduation as a pivotal moment in each senior’s life. After four years of persistence, the Class of 2016 made it, he said.

Shin thanked a bevy of stakeholders critical to the class’ success, including faculty, staff and administration.

He then went on to emphasize the class’s cohesion, comparing the student body to a puzzle.

“Even if one piece is missing, it feels off and lacks unity,” he said.

Shin also urged his fellow graduates to utilize the tools around them—whether social media or otherwise—as a way to enhance society.

“We might be caught in a circle of life,” he said, “but we can make the world cycle back in our favor.”

Valedictorian Connor Jones (heading to Auburn University) concluded the evening’s speeches.

Jones reminisced over the past four years of high school and recalled the first time he set foot in Hoover High. He said he couldn't find his way around and felt overwhelmed by the school’s size.

“Honestly, there were times when I did not know how I was going to make it through,” Jones said, “but I found some of the best people I’ll ever know—friends, teachers, counselors and principals—to help me along the way, and I know my fellow graduates will say the same.”

Jones said he was proud to be a member of one of the country’s most united, best-looking and brightest senior classes. Although the class has faced adversity, Jones said it has emerged stronger and is now prepared to enter the world, see new things and meet new people, as long as their destination has good Wi-Fi.

“In closing, go Bucs and God bless the Class of 2016,” he said.