Your Weekly News & Updates
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In this edition of our Weekly Update we honor the high school graduates from the communities we serve. We recognize the sacrifices they made for the health and safety of their families, friends and community members during the pandemic. They lost opportunities to finish their senior year with the usual traditions- concerts, plays, sports, proms, academic enrichment, and typical graduation celebrations. But we know our youth are resilient and optimistic and look forward to the future. We wish them all well in their future endeavors.
Congratulations!!
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"Bethel High School held a Senior Class Night on Monday, June 8th. Students from the Class of 2020 and our families were invited to drive through the high school area complex to pick up our high school momentos. We received our yearbooks, athletic awards, senior shirts, senior glasses and prizes won at the virtual post prom raffle.
Our graduation ceremony was held June 18th at 8:30 p.m. - a drive-in graduation on the field next to Judd Avenue. All students get one car with their family and will line up in rows on the field. Prerecorded messages and speeches were played on a large projector for everyone to watch from inside their cars. Principal Chris Troetti walked by all of the cars and hand each graduate their diploma. At this time the graduate can be outside of the car to receive their diploma, other than this no other person should leave their vehicles during the ceremony.
I am very grateful that Bethel High School was able to pull off our drive-in graduation
."
- Joe Bagala, graduate, BHS class of 2020
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Bethel High School Graduates
Joe Bagala and his sister Nicole (above),
Daniel Ramsey (right)
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"The parade and ceremony were such a brilliant way to bring the community together around graduating seniors. Before the ceremony and parade, students had almost an hour to meet with friends and take pictures, so
everyone had closure after months of uncertainty.
The conferring of degrees was quick and the weather beautiful!"
-Liam Enea, graduate of BHS class of 2020 and a member of the Brookfield CARES coalition.
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"Our community is amazing. So many different people came together to make this an unforgettable experience, in a good way. From the residents that lined the car parade route even if they didn't have a graduate, to the Brookfield Police Department who did all the backend work to pull off the processional through town, to the Fire Department that honored the Class of 2020 in the center of town, to the Grad Party (and the Grad Dads) who went above and beyond to transform the high school into a tribute to our Seniors, to the staff that volunteered countless hours behind the scenes to make it look easy, and to the parents and graduates who trusted me to put together the best celebration I could while also keeping their health and safety paramount.
The cliche is "it takes a village" and this ceremony was no exception.
Formal and anecdotal feedback from families were full of praise and amazement at what we were able to pull off. This whole process makes us think about future graduation ceremonies and how we can truly celebrate our students."
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Marc Balanda, Principal of Brookfield High School
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Graduate Jessica Posmantier shared her experience at Danbury High School's celebration:
"We arrived at DHS around 8:50 a.m. during the designated time slot, entering through the east gate entrance. Before entering the line of cars, they gave us a booklet with each graduate's name in it and their graduation status (distinguished honors, honors, ACE, etc.). Once we reached the loop-around to the front of the school, the graduate (me) was instructed to get out of the car and step into the line that led to the stage. In line, there were boxes that marked where we could stand so that we stayed 6 feet apart from each other. I was handed a card with my name on it when I stepped in line. When I got to the front of the line, Mr. LaRosa (one of the senior class advisors) asked me for my card and instructed me to walk to the stage while he announced my name on the microphone. When I got on stage, Mr. Donovan handed me a diploma case (with no actual diploma paper) and we posed for a picture taken by the photographer. During this process, my family stayed in the car and essentially followed me through the line to the stage from the road and then they got out of the car and had to stay behind a rope while they cheered and took pictures.
Mostly all of the cars were decorated with markers, balloons, and streamers. There were lots of signs on the lawn in the front of the school. Overall, it was a quick and easy process that celebrated our accomplishments wonderfully.
The entire ceremony was live streamed on YouTube and then later put into a full video."
Jessica is President of the Teen Leadership Health Council (TLHC) that is part of the Danbury Coaltion Stand Together Make a Difference.
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Henry Abbott Technical High School, Danbury
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"This year Henry Abbott Technical High School had a lot of wonderful events to celebrate our Seniors.
During the first week of June there was a lawn sign car parade on campus.
The Seniors were encouraged to decorate their cars and parade through the parking lot to view the beautiful lawn signs that had a picture of each graduate, their name and their trade.
We had a drive-up graduation event on Monday June 22nd. There were balloons and a stage set up at the front of the school. Each family was allowed to stand nearby to watch their child receive their high school diploma. A professional photographer was hired by the school to take photos. The event was live streamed on Instagram.
The Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation event began at 6p.m. Monday evening June 22nd. This included speeches by Principal Durkin, the Superintendent, the class Valedictorian and Salutatorian, and Mayor Mark Boughton, along with a slideshow highlighting each graduate and all of their accomplishments. A written program was provided to each student with their diploma packet listing the awards and scholarships awarded to many of the students."
- Cheryl Gleissner (her son Eric is pictured below)
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Housatonic Valley Regional High School
(
Kent, Sharon, Salisbury, North Canaan, Falls Village, and Cornwall)
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HVRHS held a socially distant graduation ceremony
at the Lime Rock Park racetrack on Sunday, June 21.
From one of the raceway track towers, remarks were made by speakers including Salutatorian Brianna Webb (pictured right).
Principal Ian Strever then read the names of the graduates.
There was also a car parade through Falls Village to the high school, where students received their diplomas.
Photos from Tri Corner News
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Immaculate High School, Danbury
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"Immaculate High School was able to do what it does best; stick to its mission.
Having a graduation Mass with all the students together as one voice, one class, one family as the students graduated was all we could ask for during this hard time.
Because of this, the students will learn what is truly important, even through sacrifice. It was really a wonderful and meaningful way to end their high school career."
-
Maggie Kent (her daughter Olivia is pictured below)
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Joel Barlow High School celebrated its 213 graduates with a special drive-thru ceremony.
Students and their families arrived at the high school at scheduled times to receive their diplomas and take pictures.
Staff members cheered them on with posters and elbow bumps - the new handshake during the coronavirus pandemic.
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John F. Kennedy High School, Waterbury
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Kennedy HS held both a virtual awards night and commencement ceremony. Among graduation speakers were Mayor Neil O'Leary and Valedictorian Yasin Azizoglu
(pictured below)
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New Fairfield High School
NFHS held a drive-in movie style graduation at Squantz Pond State Park.
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"For over 30 years the New Fairfield community has provided a Post Grad Party for graduates to spend one last night with their high school peers in a safe, entertaining atmosphere. Although the Post Grad Party was cancelled this year, the New Fairfield community support remained unwavering. Townsfolk came out in droves to celebrate the seniors in parades and a social media “Surprise a Senior” initiative.
No doubt the Class of 2020 felt the genuine love, generosity and kindness of their community.
We wish all the graduates the best of luck as they venture out into the world."
-Clare Orloff, whose daughter Maggie is a graduate of the NFHS Class of 2020
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"On June 20th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., the New Milford High School Graduation started with a Parade procession of all the graduates and their family in their decorated car. Graduation Programs were distributed and listed there was a radio station to listen to the speeches and names of classmates being announced.
The community came together cheering on the graduates of the Class of 2020 with signs and cheers along Route 7 from Sarah Noble Intermediate school to the High School. Our Students were escorted by the Police, Fire Departments and our Board of Education. As the Graduates entered the High School they were greeted by the American Flag hanging from a NM Fire Dept Ladder Truck along with honks and sirens and a balloon arch blowing bubbles.
Individual signs of each graduate were displayed as well as congratulatory banners and signs. Following social distancing guidelines, graduates were greeted and congratulated by NMHS Staff.
There were may photo backdrops provided by our Grad Party Committee to celebrate them including a "Friends" theme, a balloon frame, and students' favorite - a "Flat Stanley" version of our HS Principal.
Diplomas were distributed with names announced via radio for families in their vehicles.
The graduation was also streamed on YouTube for family members to watch. It was a wonderful graduation that they will never forget.
The NMHS Grad Party also offered a Virtual Grad Party Night through Gogame, a virtual game company and gave each graduate an insulated cup memento. Although this was not our typical Graduation, the Class of 2020 will always remember that they were quarantined their Senior Year but overcame all the challenges."
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Olga Rella, New Milford BOE Member, Grad party Chairperson, and Mom to graduate Juliana Rella (pictured below)
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Alex Lipari with cardboard "Flat Stanley" version of NMHS Principal Shugrue
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NMHS Graduate Page Duffany
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The entire New Milford Community honored its grads
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"Newtown hosted 3 days of graduation ceremonies with a full stage set up in the NHS parking lot. Students and families arrived in groups of 10 and each student had their moment to hear their name called and walk across the stage.
We actually think there was more individual student attention in this non-traditional model than if we had our usual graduation at the O'Neill Center.
Students had their photograph professionally taken and then received their diploma from their School Counselor and BOE member.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Class of 2020. We are also having a town wide parade on July 8th for our Seniors and a class picnic on July 28th."
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Kimberly Longobucco, Principal of Newtown High School
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Salutatorian Jackson Hebner
Photo from The Newtown Bee
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For several weeks leading up to graduation, Nonnewaug High School displayed pictures out in the community of their graduating seniors - on Main Street and at the school too. Each senior's photo was also displayed on the school website and Twitter page accompanied by a blurb about their future plans. Parents were able to purchase and display yard signs of their seniors too.
Graduation was held the weekend of June 20th and included a parade. In this photo
you may reognnize members of the ASAP Coalition ringing cowbells down on Main Street
with others from town as the graduates drove from the middle school to the high school.
(Below - Jeff, Marla, & Maryanne from ASAP)
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Nonnewaug Grad Isabella Donatucci
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OHS a social distancing outdoor graduation and parade for seniors
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Photos by Jeni Beecher, Driving Through Life (also Finn's Mom)
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In his graduation day speech,
Class President Finnian Gowen
said "We may not have had the senior year we expected. What we did have was one of historic significance. A point in our lives where things didn’t go as planned. A time in which we were forced to improvise, adapt, and overcome. When complications occur, it is important to step up and be capable of said adaptation. Don’t waste your time fretting over what you can’t control, but focus on what you can control-- focus on the present.
After all, as Ferris Bueller once said, 'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it'."
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"Ridgefield High School held three separate graduation celebration activities for the Class of 2020.
Friday, June 12th was our drive-through diploma conferral where kids and their families came to school to receive their diploma from our principal, Dr. Stacey Gross, have their portrait taken, receive gifts from both RHS and the RHS PTSA, and have a second photo opportunity with family in front of the school.
Thursday, June 18th was our drive in graduation ceremony where kids and families arrived in decorated cars and
watched the live ceremony on jumbo screens.
The ceremony included speeches from the principal, Dr. Stacey Gross, class president Clodagh Ryan, student-selected class speaker Kyra Linekin, valedictorian Questin McQuilkin, and superintendent Dr. Susie DaSilva, followed by a formal name reading of the graduates with their photos displayed.
Friday June 19 marked our virtual graduation, which includes all of the above speakers as well as a formal reading of each graduate's name with a photo."
-Christine Hopkinson, Student Life Coordinator and English Teacher,
Ridgefield High School
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Shepaug Valley School celebrated with a car parade through Roxbury, Washington, and Bridgewater ending at the Bridgewater Fairgrounds where a drive-in style virtual graduation ceremony took place.
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WAMOGO Regional High School (Warren, Morris, Goshen)
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Students were awarded their diplomas at a graduation ceremony at the Goshen Fairgrounds
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Waterbury Arts Magnet School
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Waterbury Arts Magnet School students and staff participated in a prerecorded graduation ceremony. Salutatorian Rylee Guillete is pictured below.
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"Celebrating the Class of 2020- Wolcott CT!
Wolcott High School started the first half of the year with zero access to technology due to a security breach. Ironically in the face of a pandemic they finish the second half of their year relying solely on technology and remote learning.
The class of 2020 lost many things unwillingly; Prom, Senior Breakfast, Spring sports, Senior nights, and every other honor that came along with finishing 4 years of high school. However, these young adults stood strong in the wake of such complexity and adapted with grace, style, and wisdom.
The school district along with several planning committees created a graduation that was as unique as the class it was graduating. Staff came together and stuffed 205 graduate bags with caps, gowns, awards, and a few extra surprises to make their day just a bit more special. Senior bags were then distributed to each graduate’s home by administration and staff.
The town of Wolcott came together to provide a completely socially distant parade style graduation. Graduates decorated their cars, they were able to cross the stage one at a time, take pictures and were sent off one by one, to change the world."
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Haley Shoop, Project Director, Wolcott CASA
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