Superintendent Dr. Carise Comstock was beside herself on a gorgeous June 15 outside the SteelStacks Visitor Center. There at last, after a torturous year apart, students gathered with faculty and family at two duplicate ceremonies in the morning and afternoon.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here in person to celebrate our graduates this year,” she said. “I spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what to say after a little over a year. Writer’s block is a real thing, so I did what any other well-intentioned person would do – I Googled it.”

After determining the basic qualities of artists and searching for inspiration in music, a song by Lifehouse featuring Natasha Bedingfield, “Between the Raindrops.”

Comstock said, “Even if you haven’t heard it, the title is perfect for today. We are here today celebrating the graduating class of 2021 because of the path you’ve taken – all the little moments walking between the raindrops. This is what got you here. At Charter Arts, engaging in your artistic nature is not just a hobby, it is a way of life, living and breathing it every single day. ‘Hold on and take a breath/I’ll be here every step/Walking between the raindrops with you.’”

In fact, the class of 137 had somehow earned a staggering $5.47 million in grants and scholarships; a school record. They also performed more than 7,000 community volunteer hours despite the mandatory practice being waived this year.

Comstock said, “You have all persevered through quite a four years, and at times the raindrops felt like lightning bolts, but here you are, ready to take on the rest of the world. Charter Arts has prepared you to work collaboratively, take on leadership opportunities when they present themselves, critically analyze work, speak about what motivates you and use your voice in ways that will impact the world.

“Take what you’ve learned here at Charter Arts into the next phase of your life and let the passion that you displayed here drive you boldly toward your future.”

Student speaker Hailey Belverio said, “This was not the senior year we all hoped for, but we adapted.

“Coming to Charter Arts was the best decision of my life. The people I thought would be my competition are now my closest friends. We were building our own family. We have all watched each other grow up, and we will continue to grow together.”

Co-Principals MayJo Rosiana-Harvie and Lauren Sheldon shared the stage for a joint delivery, saying they and the students had shared many firsts, as they joined Charter Arts the year this class were freshmen.

“Your first stage appearances, Black Box shows, gallery opening and lodge readings were also our first introductions to the creativity, passion and artistry each of you contribute to our Charter Arts community,” Sheldon said before pointedly plugging an inside joke about a Maple Syrup Evacuation, which elicited laughter among the students.

“All of our first experiences also led us to our first worldwide pandemic, our first remote classrooms, our first virtual concerts and performances, and our first hybrid collaborations.”

“After a year of worldwide firsts,” said Rosiana-Harvie, “the best thing we can tell you is to continually re-think. As a class you have done this for us at Charter Arts in so many ways. You all have a story and you have to tell that story. You have a voice that is valuable and needs to be heard.”

Said Sheldon, “You have been and will continue to be the culture creators and change-makers.

“The world has never been more ready for innovators.”

Student speaker Hannah Mae Lambert said, “I’m sure everyone is tired of hearing about this pandemic and the halt it has put on what was supposed to be the greatest year of high school for all of us. However, I’ve chosen not to see this year as a damper on our last year of high school, but a year of new experiences. I remember the day I heard we would be online – I was not able to sleep that night. I cried the entire night in fear that this was going to be how high school ended.

“However, I’m sure I can speak for all of us when I say this year has been full of new self-discoveries and friendships. I have come out of this year the best version of me I have ever been.”

Lambert also thanked the staff and faculty for working so hard in a strange new circumstance before championing her classmates. “Every student here is so uniquely gifted and has graced every one of us at Charter Arts with their talents. Whatever their major may be, these students are beyond talented and have been given a beautiful gift. Every person here for one of these seniors should be beyond proud of them, and I’m certainly proud of my peers.”