2011 Graduation: NCHS Principal Bill Heiser

principal Bill Heiser will deliver remarks at the school's commencement ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Towson Arena Center.

In his remarks, Heiser will thank the 370 graduates for raising the expectations of the students that follow them.

"In my short tenure as a Knight, I’ve watched the class of 2011 set the bar high and set a new standard of excellence for North County High School," he wrote in a prepared speech sent to Glen Burnie Patch. "As North County continues to excel, we will look back at the Class of 2011 as the catalyst that started us on our journey to greatness."

Heiser will share that this year's seniors increased the percentage of students taking the SAT and had the highest number of students taking Advanced Placement courses. Additionally the class of 2011 increased the percentage of students planning to attend college in the fall and set a school record by receiving scholarship offers totaling more than $7 million, Heiser will say.

Heiser also will share the story of how his mother died the day before his 18th birthday when he was a senior in high school and despite the pain and obstacles, he still was able to graduate.

"Today you’ve accomplished something incredible. Remember, that no matter what obstacles or barriers are in your way—you are a Knight and you must never, never, never quit," he wrote in his speech.