West Chester seniors graduate in a year they will never forget

WEST CHESTER >> After a year of virtual, hybrid, and full, in-person learning, the seniors of East, Henderson, and Rustin High Schools celebrated their graduation in person at each schools’ football stadiums while family and friends proudly cheered them on.

Resiliency was the common theme at all three West Chester Area School District high school graduation ceremonies this week.

“We have faced so much disappointment, so much disillusionment, so much uncertainty this past year. But, in the darkest time, there has been hope... hope for the future,” said Anna McNaull, East High School Class of 2021 Honored Speaker.

“Though the past year has been anything but ordinary, I’m proud to stand in front of this class today as we graduate together and say we did it...Our perseverance, determination, and drive for success have produced not just a class of accomplishments but a class of the accomplished. I feel inspired by each one of you because we looked this pandemic square in the eyes and, through pure grit, overcame the adversity

of the past year to finally graduate together as one,” said Gabrielle Fernandes, Henderson High School Class President, 2021

“I’m not going to focus on that pain, tragedy, and loss that the world faced; rather, I’m going to look at how the pandemic impacted us in a positive light. True, we had to endure social isolation, miss our homecoming, pep rallies, and football games, but we did it together. We

were able to get through it because of the support we provided one another. We were able to handle every tough moment because we had the entirety of Rustin behind us, encouraging us to keep going. We never gave up on making this year as special as we could,” said Tyler Emig, Rustin High School Class of 2021 Honored Speaker.

Three hundred twentyfour seniors graduated from East High School, 340 seniors graduated from

Henderson High School, and 346 seniors graduated from Rustin High School.

Honored Speakers at East High School included Elizabeth Guan, Class President, Anna McNuall, Joshua Cuozzo, Chris McCune, WCASD School Board President, Dr. Stephen Brown, East High School Principal, Dr. Kevin Fagan, former East High School Principal, and Dr. Jim Scanlon, WCASD Superintendent. In addition,

WCASD School Board Directors Dr. Karen Hermann and Daryl Durnell assisted with handing out diplomas.

Honored Speakers at

East High School included Gabrielle Fernandes, Class President, Archana Kulkarni, Andre (Nick) Washington, WCASD School Board Directors Sue Tiernan, and Joyce Chester, Dr. Jason Sherlock, Henderson High School Principal, and Dr. Jim Scanlon,

WCASD Superintendent. In addition, WCASD School Board Director Brian Gallen assisted with handing out diplomas.

Honored Speakers at Rustin High School included Erin Shoop, Class President, Tyler Emig, Natalie Erskin, WCASD School

Board Director Randell Spackman, Dr. Mike Marano, Rustin High School Principal, and Dr. Jim Scanlon, WCASD Superintendent. In addition, WCASD School Board Directors Chris McCune and Dr. Kate Shaw assisted with handing out diplomas.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A Henderson High School graduate keeps herself cool with a portable fan during the school’s commencement exercises.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rustin High School graduates recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of commencement.