By Kristin Sommers (January 10, 2003)

Thirty-eight students from the George Mason Class of 2002 returned to their alma mater to receive their International Baccalaureate diplomas or certificates Tuesday night. Seventy-one students from the class had earned either the IB diploma or a certificate. A certificate means that a student successfully completed an IB course. A diploma certifies that a student completed a two-year, rigorous program of study in which he or she earned the requisite number of points. 
 

	Guest speaker, English teacher Ms. Prastavna Sinha Mehta, congratulated the students on "continuously aspiring to the same level of excellence" throughout the two-year IB diploma program and for overcoming barriers that they faced in their life as well as in their classes here at Mason. Superintendent Mary Ellen Shaw also welcomed the students back and celebrated their achievement in IB.
English teacher Prastavna Sinha Mehta was the guest speaker at the annual IB Awards ceremony Tuesday night. She praised the  awardees for "continuously   striving."  (Photo by Michael Miller)

Mr. Lou Olom, known as "the father of IB" here in Falls Church City, talked of a "prophecy" that he has that an IB diploma recipient would someday receive the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.  Olom gave out the diplomas and medals. The medals are named in honor of Olom’s son, Jonathan Lawrence Olom, whose promising, though short, law career was marked by taking "lost" cases so everyone could have the best possible defense. The diploma medal personifies Jonathan Olom’s life and dedication to worthy causes.

Mr. Lou Olom, the father of the IB program  in Falls Church,  presents the   Jonathan Lawrence Olom Medal to graduate Meghan  Baer. The medal is named in   honor of Mr.  Olom's son. (Photo by Michael Miller)

A particularly touching moment in the ceremony occurred when Lauren Szymanski, the older sister of 2002 graduate Jessica Szymanski and Mr. And Mrs. Franklin and Marchelle Wood, the parents of Dana Wood, also a member of last year’s class, went up to receive certificates in memory of their lost loved ones. The two girls died together earlier this school year in a car crash.

A reception followed the ceremony in the Mustang Café. Graduates and their parents enjoyed refreshments as they discussed the diploma recipients’ extended essay topics, the titles of which were read aloud during the program.