International Baccalaureate seniors at Douglas County High School celebrated a cherished 
tradition on February 13—the IB Pinning Ceremony.
Established in the early years of the DCHS IB Program by Madame Corinne Barnes, the annual ceremony honors the students’ achievements while motivating them to push forward and finish strong.
Each IB senior received a pin from a teacher who has supported and inspired them throughout their journey. Along with the pin, each teacher offered a heartfelt, personal note of encouragement, making the moment even more special.
The event was a collaboration among the IB team, including Dr. Whitney Dubrulle, IB Coordinator; Lelani Smith, IB Academic Advisor; Jennifer VanderWeit, IB Administrative Assistant; and all DCHS IB teachers. Andrew Adams, IB Science Teacher, read the names as IB seniors met their teachers on stage to receive their pins.
Before the pinning ceremony, guest speaker Nia Kapitanova, an alumna of the IB Class of 2014, delivered an inspiring message of unity, hope, and limitless possibilities for the Class of 2025. A passionate advocate for global education, Kapitanova shared her journey—from studying abroad in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru to earning two master's degrees and working with IREX in Washington, D.C., on a program connecting students from the U.S., Jordan, and Iraq. Fluent in five languages, she emphasized the power of cross-cultural exchange and the opportunities ahead, particularly within the global IB community.
“The IB Class of 2025 has already achieved so much,” DCHS Principal Kenja Parks said. “They 
have completed their 4,000-word IB extended essays, passed oral exams in world language and literature, and are finalizing their internal assessments as they prepare for the traditional exams in May.
“Though the class is small, they are mighty. Among them are science fair winners, three QuestBridge Scholars, a Posse Scholar, a perfect ACT scorer, and both a school and county STAR Student. They have already earned acceptance into top universities across the country, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, the University of Chicago, Yale, Barnard–Columbia, University of Southern California, Duke University, and more. However, the most remarkable quality of this class is the unity they share as they support and cheer each other on.”