It Rained on Their Parade. It Was Joyous Anyway.
Photo: Kai Lincke, SHHS ‘22
The Strath Haven High School Class of 2020 had a senior year like no other, and they had a graduation ceremony like no other.
Class members never expected to finish their last high school classes remotely, and they never imagined watching their own graduation on a computer screen at home. But the one-hour commencement video produced by the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is full of joy, energy, music, and humor. The video was released at 5 p.m. on June 5, after a slow stream of graduates, each accompanied by two family members or friends, received their diplomas one at a time in the SHHS auditorium.
Students, faculty, and administrators provided words of advice and hope, acknowledging the difficulty of the year and striving to move beyond it.
“The years you have spent as the Class of 2020 cannot be taken away from you,” said WSSD Superintendent Lisa Palmer. “The things that have always mattered are still what matter: people, kindness, laughter, love, and hope.”
“Hope can never be cancelled,” she said.
Anya Hooper, ’20: ‘Unimaginable Challenges’
In her opening remarks, Student Council President Anya Hooper emphasized the year’s singularity.
After four years of diligence, our last three months of high school have transformed into a time — not to prove what we’ve learned from our academic, artistic, or athletic endeavors — but to prove what we’ve learned in the spaces between. We are being called to handle grief, fear, and unimaginable challenges in an effort to survive the condition of our world….Would I really want to trade being a 2020 for anything else? Absolutely not.
Hope Graham, ’20: Gritty Positivity
Class speaker Hope Graham emphasized positivity: “Real positivity is gritty,” she said, inviting her fellow graduates to look for the quality in relationships. “Relationships can find us wherever we go. Even amidst a worldwide quarantine!”
Let’s rewind for a second. Take a moment to think back to when most of us met at the Kids’ Place 12 years ago (or wherever you began your educational journey). Now remember when SRS, NPE, or WES (the best ) was your home. Remember why it was your home — the teachers and friends who loved you while you were there. Next bear the cringe for a second and remember middle school. We were awkward and vulnerable and full of potential, and we had people who loved us enough to tend that potential until we were ready to cross the bridge.
Now think back on the past four years. The teachers, coaches, friends, and family who have both challenged and supported us. Remember all those who have loved us into who we are today. Remember all the times we were able to love them back...they’re the best memories, aren’t they?
And now those same people are working so hard to reach out to us, even when the world itself is shut down. How do we have positivity during difficult circumstances? We find those people who love us, take to heart that they do, and invest in loving them back.
Gabrielle McGinn, ’20: ‘Never Shy Away From Who You Really Are’
Class speaker Gabrielle McGinn talked about her hopes for her future self and her classmates. “I hope you have found enough confidence to carry yourself with dignity, respect, and courage,” she said.
I hope you are open minded and willing to learn new things, ideas, and beliefs. I hope you are strong and confident enough to assert your own opinions while being considerate of others. I hope you never shy away from who you really are and view every challenge as an opportunity.
I hope you are kind-hearted and compassionate. I hope you bring warmth to society and share happiness with those around you. I hope you recognize all your blessings and are grateful for the life you have been given. And once you do that, I hope you dedicate time to help improve others’ lives, so they may be blessed and thankful as well.
Erik Hollingsworth: ‘Bring Energy!’
In his faculty speech, special education teacher and football and baseball coach Erik Hollingsworth advised graduates to persevere, to be unselfish, to be excited, to find their passion, and to surround themselves with great people. “Bring energy,” he exhorted.
Bring as much energy as you can get through the door. Pack it on, strap it up, and roll through the day with a grin as wide as the Mississippi. Smile. Smile big. Smile A LOT. Be enthusiastic. Be enthusiastic to tell your side, to listen.
Be bold. Be brash. Wear your heart on your sleeve. Have beliefs and let those beliefs get you excited, get you jacked! Some days, when feeling down or sad, let those beliefs get you out of bed, get you through the day, get you to stand on top of the mountain and scream your convictions with confidence and resolve.
Be the first one in the room, class, building. Why? Because it means something. Definitely don’t be last.
Be excited that the sun rises and that you get to rise with it. Be excited that IT IS another day. Be excited to share your ideas, thoughts, and values with others. It just may change their lives.
At 7 p.m., under a torrent of rain, a car parade of excited graduates departed from the high school parking lot, then wound its way through Wallingford, Swarthmore, Rutledge, South Media, and back to the high school again, while well wishers cheered and waved their umbrellas.
WSSD school board member Chapin Cimino, also the parent of a graduating senior, summed up the feelings of many: “I’m hearing from the kids that they think they got a better graduation than any other class.”
