PORTSMOUTH – With seats 6 feet apart and only two guests per student, graduation looked very different at Portsmouth High School’s football field Friday night.
The 275 members of the Class of 2020 got what they wanted, though: being together in person one more time. This happened despite the coronavirus pandemic that led some schools to hold online commencement ceremonies.
"We at least get to see each other again," said Calvin Hewett. "I am glad we got to have a graduation. Some schools did not have even this."
"It’s definitely out of the ordinary," said Lauren Lantz. "It’s also definitely better than no graduation at all."
Jack Waldo said it was special for him because he got a chance to see his friends, he said, adding he knows he may never see some of them again.
"We get to say goodbye," said Waldo.
Their diplomas were each placed on a stand. Called in alphabetical order, the graduates picked them up, stood on a designated mark for a photo and returned to their seat.
Each student was allowed two guests, and they sat socially distanced in the bleachers.
Principal Mary Lyons called it plan No. 955, as the administration and staff struggled to find a way to give a meaningful graduation ceremony to their students while still maintaining safety in light of the pandemic. She said as information about the coronavirus changed constantly, so did their plans for commencement
"We opened Andrew Jarvis Drive at 4 p.m.," said Lyons "There were people to check tickets and do a health screening before parents and guests were allowed to park. All the kids were on the field and in their seats by 5:15 p.m. and the ceremony began at 5:30 p.m. That and the fact that we didn’t get to have the million rehearsals we usually do made it very interesting."
It was an emotional ceremony.
Valedictorian Corinne Lamond talked about the pandemic that caused schools to go to online remote learning from March to the end of the school year.
"Would you have lived your life differently if you knew a pandemic would cut your senior year short?" asked Lamond. "My answer is yes. I would live more in the moment, in the present. We grieved, but this, too, will pass."
Salutatorian Rachel Goldberg advised her classmates to open up and be true to themselves whatever path they take in life.
The Profile in Courage award is usually given to one student who overcame great adversity to get to graduation. This year, two awards were given, to Selena Webber and Tyrese Sterling.
The class gift was presented by Ethan Walsh, business manager of the Class of 2020. The gift is a partnership with the Class of 2021, to build a staircase from the upper student parking lot to the school.
Holly Galvin, the Bartlett Prize speaker, told her classmates a fairy tale. She started by talking about how she wanted to be a Disney princess her whole life.
Galvin then talked about the coronavirus "plague" that forced all of them into dragon-guarded towers, where they learned things, like baking and having magic mirror (Zoom videon conference) talks and classes.
"Disney princesses all work with adversity to reach their goals," said Galvin. "Maybe the plague canceled our senior year. I can still be a princess. If Kate Middleton can do it, so can I. Disney taught me success is not an easy road, but we came out of our towers stronger, and we will live happily ever after."
"I'm glad it is a beautiful day and we were able to make this happen for our graduates," said Lyons. "What they wanted most was to be together as a class. There have been a number of plans and many changes as we have adapted to current CDC and state guidelines. The committee has worked very hard as it has been a complicated process. City health officials and the police have been very helpful. Safety has always been at the forefront of every decision. The ceremony would not be possible without the help of our supportive community."
To the class, Lyons said they should not be afraid to fail.
"You can do alright if you follow the crowd," said Lyons. "But if you go the hard way, the results can be spectacular."
Mayor Rick Becksted told the class he graduated from the school 30 years earlier.
"It’s an honor to be able to speak to this class," said Becksted. "It has taken me 30 years to learn perseverance and diversity. It has taken this class three months. They say tough situations build strong people. You are Clipper strong."
"It is great to get to celebrate these seniors and their accomplishments," said Superintendent Stephen Zadravec. "They felt strongly that they wanted to graduate together physically, and I credit the graduation planning committee for all of their work on protocols for safety. These students have shown amazing resilience and spirit."
Science teacher Rick Hugener said it was great the school was able to pull the graduation together.
"Even though it is not the norm, I hope the graduates enjoy it," he said.
Adrienne Lehtinen and Rick Twombly were there to see their son Cole graduate. Lehtinen said it was wonderful.
"Even with the masks, which is little inconvenient, at least they get a graduation," said Twombly.
Following the graduation, students and parents went directly to their cars for a parade throughout the city.
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