Historic Class of 2020

B
orn in the aftermath of 9/11, the graduating class of 2020 again took part in the making of history with a unique, but really pretty cool parking lot graduation ceremony last Sunday.
After a week of rather dreary skies, rain, wind and cool temperatures, Mother Nature presented to the class a graduation gift of a beautiful day in which to celebrate their achievement. 
As the cars rolled into the high school parking lot with Pomp and Circumstance playing over KASL radio, the most unique graduation in NHS history began. 
Staff was on hand, masked-up and practicing social distancing protocol, as class president Grace Coy started the ceremony with her broadcasted introduction of the Valedictorians - each of whom had pre-recorded their speeches which were then broadcast in everyone’s car through the radio.
Dylon Tidyman, Madi Pearson, Markie Whitney, Tessa Vandersnick and Peyton Tystad each stepped out of their vehicles and gave a wave as their speeches were played. 
After listening to the class song, “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, NHS English teacher Jessica Troftgruben delivered the commencement address. 
Principal Dr. Tracy Ragland then announced scholarship winners and then the students as they walked across the stage to collect their diplomas.
Though this may not have been the most ideal manner in which to honor this wonderful class, it was a pretty cool way to give them the ceremony they have worked so hard for over the last 13 years.
We can all lament what the seniors have missed out on in the last months of their high school careers, and it is certainly heartbreaking that when they walked out of the doors of NHS on Friday, March 13th that they had no inkling that would be the last time they would ever again walk the halls as a student.
State basketball had just been cancelled, and they were a week away from learning that their spring sports seasons were in jeopardy, and would ultimately be called off. State speech, state art, state FFA and state FBLA also ended up on the chopping block. 
Then the news that there would be no prom was yet another hit for these young men and women. While I might also add the loss of a senior skip day to the list, this will actually go down as the most epic senior skip day in history!  
However, I would like to focus on the shining moments of this year. The class of 2020 is nothing if not a group of tough, resilient young people. Despite all they lost in these last 10 weeks, they persevered and finished the year strong. 
They made the most of
the situation and achieved their goals. 
In her speech, Troftgruben illuminated the bright side of the term “corona” on Sunday afternoon which brought home a very welcome way to view this crazy situation. While it may appear at first glance that nothing positive can be taken from the Coronavirus, Troftgruben pointed out that focusing on the meaning of the word puts things into a different perspective. 
The first, astronomical meaning of corona is a white or colored circle or set of concentric circles of light seen around a luminous body, especially around the sun or moon.
Another definition is a crown or garland bestowed among the Romans as a reward for distinguished service. 
Troftgruben went on to relate these definitions to the class of 2020, reminding them to wear their crowns with pride and continue to be that shining light. 
It is a very fitting way to send these history making seniors out into the world to achieve their dreams.