Commencement to end a most unique year for Hope seniors
HOPE, Ark. — The 2019-2020 academic year will be remembered as the year that stopped, began again in the middle, and ended with a singular commencement for Hope High School graduates.
Classes for the 2019-2020 academic year officially ended May 22, but the year will not conclude until the Class of 2020 takes its bow Friday in virtual graduation ceremonies, the first in the history of the Hope Public Schools.
HHS will go online with a “live” professionally created YouTube broadcast at 6 p.m. to honor the graduating class. A video link to the YouTube broadcast will be made available on HHS social media.
The ceremony will include each senior students’ cap and gown picture and a personal message delivered by the students who have provided video, according to Principal Bill Hoglund.
Each student will be given the opportunity to download their personal segment across multiple social media platforms to provide to family and friends, he said.
Noted artist and HHS graduate Steven Walden, of St. Louis, will be the commencement speaker, Hoglund said.
“Steven has created artwork for various professional sports franchises, private collections, and Hollywood celebrities,” he said. “Notable people who either own Steven’s work or who Steven has worked alongside include former President Bill Clinton, “Mad Men” actor Jon Hamm, “Captain Marvell” actor Brie Larson, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, wrestler Hulk Hogan, and many others.”
A native of Hope and 1993 graduate of HHS, Waldren’s work has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox television networks, on Major League Baseball’s website, Sports Illustrated’s website, and in connection with his work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and other charitable endeavors.
“To date, his works have helped raise over a quarter million dollars for different charities across the country,” Hoglund said.
(Ken McLemore is communications director at Hope Public Schools.)