Lake Norman Publications

408 earn diplomas from North Meck




North Mecklenburg High School administrators and CMS officials wait in the wings getting ready to begin the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017

North Mecklenburg High School administrators and CMS officials wait in the wings getting ready to begin the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017

CHARLOTTE – North Mecklenburg High School’s Class of 2017, which had 408 students, graduated Saturday afternoon, June 10, at a ceremony on the campus of UNC-Charlotte. 

In terms of the year its graduates were born, the Class of 2017 has a foot in two millennia.

And at North Meck, this idea was perhaps best represented by a group of friends who refer to themselves as the Fab Five, some of whom have known each other since middle school and others who joined in on their first day at North Meck.

“We were all in the same science and English classes,” Rafiya Little said.

“And we just realized we had so much in common,” added Kierra Benson, whose twin sister, Cierra, is also part of the group. The five also includes Emma Mollay and Mafata Kourouma.

Part of what they share is the same Zodiac sign of Libra. However, the birth years of the five young women are 1998, 1999 and 2000.

“We’re sort of the last of the last century and the start of the new one,” one of them noted.

Christopher Blackey was North Meck’s Class of 2017 valedictorian, while Aneesha Raj and Emma Calhoun were co-salutatorians. The three will be attending North Carolina State University, Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, respectively.

North Meck students file into UNCC’s Halton Arena at the start of their graduation ceremony.

North Meck students file into UNCC’s Halton Arena at the start of their graduation ceremony.

The North Mecklenburg High School Class of 2017 gathered for the graduation ceremony in Halton Arena on the UNC-Charlotte campus.

The North Mecklenburg High School Class of 2017 gathered for the graduation ceremony in Halton Arena on the UNC-Charlotte campus.

Class valedictorian Christopher Blackey stands between co-salutatorians Aneesha Raj (left) and Emma Calhoun.

Class valedictorian Christopher Blackey stands between co-salutatorians Aneesha Raj (left) and Emma Calhoun.

A couple of North Meck Class of 2017 students hug following their graduation.

A couple of North Meck Class of 2017 students hug following their graduation.

Myron Chapman (left) and Shyheem Bryant strike a pose with diplomas in hand.

Myron Chapman (left) and Shyheem Bryant strike a pose with diplomas in hand.

North Meck graduate Ishaq Smith is surrounded by his three sisters (from left): Haajer, 11, who couldn’t resist trying on Ishaq’s cap and gown; Aminata, 5; and Safiyya, 14.

North Meck graduate Ishaq Smith is surrounded by his three sisters (from left): Haajer, 11, who couldn’t resist trying on Ishaq’s cap and gown; Aminata, 5; and Safiyya, 14.

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