After stormy year sun shines for Springfield graduates
“It’s been such an emotional year. It is so good to see these young adults get ready to succeed beyond our wildest dreams. This year, what
I’ve learned from the class of 2021 is hope is alive and well. Hope may be our greatest gift to each other as we strive to make each day count, no matter the circumstances, no matter the size of the mountain that lays in front of us, no matter the climb- I know this class will overcome it, because you’ve demonstrated that time and time again.”
— Superintendent Daniel Barber
SPRINGFIELD » The clouds parted and the sun beamed down on the 311 graduates of Springfield High School on Friday. Like much of the past 14 months, officials improvised and changed the start of graduation until after the thunderstorms passed through the area.
“After the year this has been, this class deserves the sunshine,” said Superintendent Daniel Barber. “It’s been such an emotional year. It is so good to see these young adults get ready to succeed beyond our wildest dreams. This year, what I’ve learned from the class of 2021 is hope is alive and well. Hope may be our greatest gift to each other as we strive to make each day count, no matter the circumstances, no matter the size of the mountain that lays in front of us, no matter the climb- I know this class will overcome it, because you’ve demonstrated that time and time again.”
With families assembled on the field, the graduates sat in the stands with their brand new high school behind them.
Salutatorian Victoria Ryan thanked all the teachers, family and friends who helped the graduates succeed. She also asked her fel
low graduates what memories will they take away
from Springfield High School and how will they will employ the experiences to discover what comes next.
Valedictorian Andrew
Fox said high school had been the most transformative times of their lives and remarked on the growth they’ve witnessed.
He noted the students
“brought 3,000 people together with an online petition to get the farewell this class truly deserves.”
“We wanted the opportunity to be recognized as a group one last time,” Fox said. He added, “to say our last goodbyes to one another and for our parents families to share this moment, we not only got this wish but showed we take pride in our school community and are capable of creating change for the benefit of ourselves, our classsmates and many others.”
Class officer Logan Busch noted this year has been challenging and tough on everyone, not being able to go out with friends or, like himself, having lost a friend or loved one.
Busch said his father was ill during his entire time in high school yet “he was the joyful person I have ever known. He showed me that bravery and strength doesn’t mean you have to be fearless but rather he taught us to keep up the fight and keep moving
forward, despite being fearful. All of us this year have had to learn how to keep moving, how to keep going and tap a resilience
we didn’t know we had and because we did, we are here tonight marking this achievement and receiving our diplomas.”