TIME TO SHINE
Cohoes High School celebrates class of 2020
COHOES, N.Y. » In Saturday’s mid-morning heat, Cohoes High School held a joyful graduation ceremony for the class of 2020.
The ceremony took place on the school’s Alumni Field, and was split into thirds to allow maximum attendance. Each graduate was assigned to one of the three ceremonies, and was allowed to bring two guests. Under the large tent set up on the field, chairs were arranged in pods of three that were spaced six feet apart, assigned to each graduate using giant labeled photos.
In between each ceremony, everything was sanitized to prepare for the next group of graduates and guests. The ceremonies were live-streamed for those who couldn’t attend in person.
“We had a committee made up of students, parents, staff, and administrators to plan this out,” principal Bryan Wood explained. “We’ve been talking about this since April. With the state guidelines allowing gatherings of up to 150 people, we were able to make this happen.”
In addition to the graduates and guests, in attendance were members of the board of education, school faculty and staff, Cohoes Mayor William Keeler, and state assembley-man John McDonald.
“I think things have turned out fantastic,” Wood said. “The community really came together to support the students.
We’re all excited.”
At the start of each ceremony, the graduates - wearing custom masks with the school’s logo - marched in as “Pomp and Circumstance” played. Graduates who were members of Afterbeat, the school’s chorus, sang the national anthem and the school alma mater.
Principal Wood thanked everyone for attending and took a moment to acknowledge this year’s highest honor students, who held a 95% or higher average for all four years of high school. He next encouraged the students to applaud first their families and then their teachers for all the support they had provided during the school year.
Finally, he thanked the local community organizations, businesses, and members who have supported the graduating class.
Wood then went on to address the graduates. His remarks included highlights of how this year’s graduating class has broken many records. A third of the class of 2020 is graduating with honors, having collectively taken 641 college credits. At 85%, this year’s class has the highest graduation rate in decades.
Sixty-five percent of the graduates are going on to higher education and three are enlisting in the military.
Many academic and athletic achievements over the course of the year also broke records or set new standards. This school year saw new clubs and first events at Cohoes High School, including the city’s first mayoral debate, which Wood praised the graduates for organizing and attending.
“I can’t tell you how proud of you I am, especially this year with what we’ve had to go through,” Wood said in his address.
Wood concluded with three key ideas he wanted the graduates to carry with them moving forward.
“Never stop learning. Just because you’re graduating doesn’t mean the learning will stop,” he said. “Give back to your community. You will always be welcome back at Cohoes High School. Take risks and don’t be afraid of failure. It’s when you experience defeat that you grow the most.”
Next to speak was Hannah Ragule, the 2020 valedictorian.
“This year has been unexpected and devastating, to say the least,” she said in her address to her classmates. “But I don’t want to talk about that - we all know what we’ve been through. My grandmother always said to focus on the positives, not the negatives.
“I want to reflect on the good.”
Ragule continued, “high school is only a small chapter in the long journey of life. Do not be afraid to take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. We are resilient. We are making our mark in our own way.”
Next to speak was science teacher Michael Kloczko, giving the faculty address.
“You’ve earned so much, and you don’t get to enjoy some of that,” he told the graduates, addressing how drastically the COVID-19 pandemic had altered what should have been a typical school year. “Never doubt that what this pandemic has put you through has made you stronger.”
Klocsko continued, “your time at Cohoes High School has impacted every single one of you, and it’s going to be different for everyone. Don’t look back, look to the future. Make your own path. This place will be your roots. They will keep you strong and support you.”
The final address was by class president Naomi Hallock, who began by admitting some anxiety over the vulnerability of having to speak publicly in her own words.
“If you really think about it, high school was the most vulnerable years of our lives,” she said. “Remember, every experience you have in this life has a purpose for being there.”
Hallock concluded her speech with some advice to her classmates: “Before we have to face reality in a few short months, take some time to be a teen. Don’t leave room for ‘ what if.’ This is not goodbye, it’s ‘ til we meet again.”
When all of the speakers were finished, Principal Wood presented the graduates. Each student walked across the stage, received their diploma, and got their picture taken. Each name read was accompanied by enthusiastic cheers and applause.
When everyone was back in their seats, Wood instructed the students to move their tassels to the other side of their caps and declared them official graduates of Cohoes High School.
“It was a great event,” Mayor Keeler commented after the first ceremony. “I’m happy for the kids. They missed out on a lot, but they have the whole future ahead of them now and I’m sure they’ll do great things.”