Members of Parkland’s High School Class of 2020 graduated in their own unique way with a virtual commencement ceremony June 9, which aired on YouTube, RCN and Service Electric.

After welcoming the class and guests, Assistant High School Principal Crystal George acknowledged the virtual ceremony was not the event that graduates, staff or families had hoped for, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns, it was necessary.

“Though it is not what we had anticipated, it is still a time to celebrate your accomplishments,” George said. “The Class of 2020 has had so many great moments and triumphs throughout their four years at Parkland High School, and tonight we are here to celebrate you.”

The high school band, directed by Jason Lerew, then performed the school alma mater and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Class President Grace Smith then went to the lectern for the class key presentation.

“I know this isn’t the graduation we all pictured but I promise you, we’ll never forget it,” Smith said. “I never believed them when they said high school flies by, but here we are looking back at our last four years, and it seems like just yesterday we were walking into the high school for the first time.

“As the first half of 2020 has been filled with ‘lasts,’ the next half will be filled with ‘firsts.’ For some of us, it will be our first year away from home, our first real job, and our first time leaving our friends,” she said before reflecting on the memories, experiences and events shared by the graduating class.

Smith said Parkland “has become more than just a school to us,” noting that during the class’ four years at the high school they won 45 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District titles, were nominated for 44 Freddy Awards and served hundreds of people through Caring Closets.

“It’s impossible to ignore that our senior year ended without warning, but we can’t let losing the last three months overshadow our high school experience.

“The memories we’ve shared these past years have strengthened our character for the future. I know that each and every one of you will excel wherever life leads you, and I have no doubt the class of 2020 will go down in every record book as one of Parkland’s greatest,” Smith said, before presenting the class key to 2021 Class President Kyleigh Duff.

A musical arrangement of Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me” was performed virtually by Parkland Chorale seniors Devanarayanan Anupama Harikrishnan, Jenny Delorimier, Raphael Ettinger-Finley, Isabella Fedele, Magdalena Gareca, Jessica Guziak, Abigail Hill, Ryan Hoelzel, Shanyn Kaiser, Akaash Kapoor, Justin Kuhlman, Lauren Petrocelli, Jacob Roth and Natalie St. Hill.

Afterward, senior speaker Cora Hochstetler addressed the class.

She said while the circumstances of their graduation were “absolutely not what we expected,” the graduates were prepared to “look for the positives, exceed limits and create potential good.

“This class has shown the capability to triumph against adversity, we are the generation to make an impact and make changes. The Class of 2020 was made for this,” Hochstetler said. “My message to the Class of 2020 is to always look for the positives and appreciate the moment you are in, because now that it is done, I think every single one of us would take back all the times we said we wish we were done with high school, but we did this.

“We made it through together, as a class.”

George and Superintendent Richard Sniscak then recognized National Honor Society award winners and introduced students graduating with highest honors in the top 3 percent of the class.

Sniscak said the district was committed to providing an opportunity for graduates to return Aug. 4 to the PPL Center for an in-person commencement, “and cross the stage with the customary pomp and circumstance associated with the dignity of a Parkland graduation ceremony.”

Speaking to the graduating class, Sniscak said high school represented a major turning point in life, marking the beginning of a “new and exciting era.

“Tonight is about celebrating memories of the past while holding great expectations for the future,” he said. “The next few years will bring many exciting choices and opportunities your way.”

He encouraged graduates to seek out and capitalize on those opportunities in pursuit of their individual life paths, and said the diverse talents, skills and accomplishments of the class had brought pride and honor to Parkland.

Lisa Roth, president of the Parkland School Board, also congratulated the class and quoted the lyrics of “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, which Roth first heard when her oldest son was touring colleges.

She said the song conveyed the emotions and feelings of graduation.

“My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold,” Roth quoted in closing. “And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too. Yeah, this, is my wish.”

High School Principal James Moniz II presented the Class of 2020, reading off the names of each graduating senior to the traditional march of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

“As a class you distinguished yourselves repeatedly - whether on the stage, in the classroom, on the playing field or serving your community. You gave us countless, wonderful memories that will last a lifetime,” Moniz said after the presentations. “As incomplete as the end of your senior year may feel, the one thing I know about you is that you are an incredibly unique, influential, passionate and fun group of students whom I will never forget.

“I have the fullest confidence that the Class of 2020 will take with them the many incredible lessons and experiences that they have learned at Parkland High School, and leave a powerful and exceptional legacy in all their steps moving forward.”

The ceremony capped off a daylong tribute to the graduates.

Reruns of events such as Mr. Parkland, Athlete College Media Day, Festival of the Arts, Senior Cabaret, Virtual Art Show, department shout-outs, Yearbook Release and the Academic Scholarship Recognition Ceremony, among others, were broadcast throughout the day leading up to graduation.

At 5 p.m. the 2020 Senior video premiered, beginning with congratulatory messages from a number of celebrities and public figures including former president Barack Obama, Kevin Hart, Ellen DeGeneres, Malala Yousafzai, Zendaya, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Pictures and videos of the graduates played over a stirring and emotional soundtrack, showcasing happy moments of sporting events, championships, school trips, musicals, dances, theater performances and other memories with friends, family, teammates and fellow class members.

A Senior Shoutout Slideshow was also presented which highlighted each graduate’s next destination in life, from entering the workforce, to attending college or joining the armed forces.

More graduation festivities would take place on the following days with yearbook and diploma distributions June 10 and 11 at the high school.

Additional plans are in the works for the August in-person graduation as well as a rescheduled Senior Prom at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks July 19 and Senior Class Informal Send-off July 21 at the high school, pending social distancing guidelines.

The 2020 Commencement Ceremony, Senior video and Senior Shoutouts slideshow are all available online on the “Parkland TV & Film” YouTube page.

***

See the Parkland Press’ salute to graduates in our Grad Tab, next week.