The LCPS College Achievement and Multicultural Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS) held its 2025 Senior Celebration, honoring the 143 CAMPUS seniors, on Tuesday, June 3, at Independence High School. CAMPUS is an academic and college preparatory program designed to remove barriers to higher education for students who will be the first in their families to attend college.
For the 2024/25 school year, more than 750 students in 18 high schools participated in CAMPUS. Next year, CAMPUS is expanding to serve over 1,000 students. Of this year’s graduating seniors, 90% have indicated that they are continuing their education at either a 2-year or 4-year college.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Aaron Spence, LCPS superintendent, commended the students for their achievements and reminded them to take pride in their hard work and be grateful for the support they have received. “As you move into the next chapter of your story, know that you carry not just what you have accomplished, but you carry our belief in you. You have been equipped with the skills, the strength and the vision to lead, to serve and to thrive. From here, you are the architects of your own destiny. We cannot wait to see what you accomplish.”
Tedra Richardson, assistant superintendent of the Department of Student Services, said the CAMPUS graduates are remarkable young adults standing at the threshold of a bright future. “This milestone is a reflection of your hard work, perseverance, and your belief in the power of education. You are trailblazers – not only for yourself but for your families and community. Your resilience has brought you to this moment. You are breaking barriers as first-generation college-bound students, carrying the hopes of those who have come before you and lighting the path of those yet to come.”
Lana Muhagir, a 2024 CAMPUS Broad Run High School graduate currently studying political science at Barnard College, shared words of wisdom with the soon-to-be graduates. She advised the seniors to embrace the anxiety, uncertainty and discomfort in life. Mahagir said that as the first in her family to attend college, she felt that discomfort was a sign of weakness or of doing something wrong. Instead, she encouraged the seniors to “let discomfort be your teacher, not your enemy. Use it as your fuel for your goals, your growth and your future. That future is waiting for you, and you are more prepared than you know.”
CAMPUS facilitators and counselors from each LCPS high school announced CAMPUS seniors’ names as they came forward in the caps and gowns of their home high school to receive a cord to be worn at graduation.
Following this recognition, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation, represented by Loudoun Laurels Board members the Honorable Joe T. May and Stephen Mautner presented the annual Loudoun Laurels scholarships to Samantha Tinta of Loudoun County High School and Rut Tobar Rodriguez of Tuscarora High School. Each student received a scholarship worth up to $40,000 to support the student’s undergraduate study. Loudoun Laurels Foundation is dedicated to developing future civic leaders through scholarships and mentorships and annually provides scholarships to CAMPUS students. Since its establishment in 2013, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation has awarded 31 scholarships to LCPS students totaling nearly $1.3 million.