Saluting the senior Class of 2021

 

May 13, 2021

SENTINEL-NEWS FILE PHOTO

Seniors listen to a speech during graduation at H-M-S last year. Commencement for the Class of 2021 will be held Sunday at 2 p.m., in the H-M-S Event Center.

Tassels will turn this weekend for graduating seniors at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. After a tumultuous year dealing with pandemic-related uncertainty, commencement no doubt comes as a big sigh of relief. But even though it may appear the book is closing, the adventure is only beginning for these young adults.

It's been a slog to get here, and we're only referring to the past year. The final two months of these seniors' junior year was canceled by COVID-19 and nothing was spared from the chopping block – spring sports, concerts, field trips and everything in between were scrapped as we tried to get a handle on the pandemic. Things eventually returned to something resembling normal, but it's not like before. Nonetheless, these seniors can be thankful they were given a chance to participate and finish – the Class of 2020 wasn't so lucky.

There's a lesson in that for this group. Nothing in life is guaranteed and that reality doesn't change as we get older. Many people don't realize this until much later in life, but the Class of 2021 is already wise beyond its years.

It's hard reflecting beyond the whirlwind that was these last 14 months. However, our graduating seniors have spent 13 whole years putting in the work to get to Sunday. They've accomplished so much along the way and they'll undoubtedly accomplish much more. That's what's so bittersweet about graduation – we're sad to watch them go, but it's exciting to see what they'll do after they head out into the brave new world.

So here's to you, seniors. Your community is appreciative of the work you've done and how you represented our local school district. Sure, you may have some regrets, but never second-guess how proud your family and friends are for what you've done here. Use the lessons you've learned to better yourselves and achieve great things in whatever it is you do next. The world is your oyster and opportunity awaits you, but take nothing for granted.

Congratulations, Class of 2021 – we wish you nothing but the absolute best.

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Sentinel Lg
Press Lg

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024