The OSSM 34th Annual Convocation was held Sunday to welcome students to campus. OSSM greeted 50 new juniors and its returning seniors for the 2023-24 school year.

At the event, OSSM alumna Cherie Herren, M.D., challenged students to remember why they are qualified to be at the state’s no. 1 publicly funded high school. She also inspired them by sharing stories of her time at the school.

“In addition to being a graduate of OSSM myself, I have also been a part of the admission committee numerous times over the past 10 years,” said Dr. Herren. “What I have learned from those experiences is how much time and consideration went into admitting each and every one of you. It is not an accident that you are here.”

President Cornforth concluded the ceremony with a story of his own first day of school back in the fourth grade. Borrowing from his own experiences, Mr. Cornforth reminded OSSM students of the support they receive from faculty, staff, and administration. 

After Convocation, students picked up their textbooks for classes that begin on Monday, Aug. 14. 

Read Dr. Herren’s full speech here.