Haxtun High School Class of 2020 honored with virtual ceremony followed by parade

There was the traditional pomp and circumstance. The usual welcome, valedictorian and salutatorian speeches as well as the ever-favorite slide show presentation, but the one thing missing was a gym packed full of friends, family, faculty and community members helping to celebrate the Haxtun graduating Class of 2020.

On Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m., as regularly scheduled, graduation went on despite the nation's current pandemic and COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and instead of a gym full of graduates and supporters, more than 480 individuals watched a virtual ceremony from their homes on the Haxtun Schools' YouTube channel.

One by one, students entered the gym in black caps and gowns, one of the three chosen colors of the class; black, red and silver.

Class President and Valedictorian Emma Duvall took the podium first. "Honored guests, family, friends, community members and most of all, the Haxtun Class of 2020, welcome to graduation," Duvall said in the virtual ceremony released early Sunday afternoon.

"Our class has come together through so much and we have come to be an intensely unified student body," Duvall said. "The Class of 2020 has taken it upon ourselves to not only exceed academically and extracurricular, but also simply enjoying ourselves with the company of our classmates. Granted, the situation of COVID-19 has put a large rift in our senior year, but I believe that the memories from former years will push us all to enjoy and flourish, wherever we may be going in the years to come. It was truly hard to place the fun events of our senior year aside, as we all fought to keep ourselves, as well as others, safe and healthy. Some seniors missed the chance to work towards one more home run, some seniors the memory and opportunity to run on the track one last time. Some seniors lost the chance to play an instrument or sing at the spring concert event for a final time, some missed their last opportunity to compete live, or at all, in organizational competitions."

Duvall reminded classmates that even though they missed special opportunities and final events as their senior year came to an early close, many others lost much more during this pandemic. "I want to remind everyone who hears this that the fight will continue, for how long, I don't know," she continued. "What I do know is our class, our family and friends, our community, country and our world will heal."

Following Duvall's welcome via the virtual video, High School Principal Alan Nall presented the 2020 Salutatorian award to Kendrick Fetzer, who took time to speak to his class, friends, family and community.

"Wow, I never thought I would be capable of this especially back in junior high one time when I forgot to turn my weekly reading in so I was on the down list for a week," Fetzer remarked at the start of his speech. "It has taken a lot of people to get us to this point and I want to thank as many of them as possible."

First, he thanked the parents of the Class of 2020 for being there through the struggles, forgotten assignments and the other things that sometimes seem to go unnoticed. He also thanked the teachers of Haxtun Schools.

"In the last 13 or so years, we have all had many teachers who have all impacted us in different ways. They have taught us an immense amount of knowledge that has helped us get to this point. I can't thank them enough for all the time they have spent working to get us to this point," Fetzer said.

He also talked about the coaches and community for the continued support shown to the Class of 2020 in all their endeavors.

Duvall took the podium again, this time to deliver her Valedictorian speech after receiving her award from Principal Nall. "Through all the ups and downs, we've always had the members of this class to lean on. I am truly proud to be before this group of amazing people, commemorating our years together," she said. "Our time together ended a few months sooner than anticipated, but I anticipate an even greater outcome. When I look at my classmates, I see strong, growing leaders."

Graduating senior Sage Nab announced this year's class gift, which includes three metal cutouts to hang outside the High School Gymnasium. Nab said a cut out of a volleyball player, basketball player and drama mask will be added as an outside feature and were designed with help from IWS in Sterling.

The virtual ceremony included the class slideshow, designed by Brooklyn Davis, while songs "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw and "Memories" by Maroon 5 played as baby pictures, senior photos and group snapshots filled the screen.

Before presenting the 13 class members of 2020, Nall took a few minutes to speak to the outgoing seniors. "Seniors, as we gather today in a virtual format, you have my utmost appreciation for having arrived at this point. The current COVID situation has thrown your class an amazing curveball. For that, I apologize on behalf of all of your community. No virus can take away the importance of this date. Today is your graduation day," Nall said.

The Principal said the Class of 2020 has a unique way to find success regardless of the odds. "I can think of several instances when individuals in this class could have given up, thrown in the towel and just walked away from a tough situation, but instead you persevered, overcame and came out on top."

As a testament to the class's dedication and drive, more than $280,000 have been awarded in scholarship funds to the 13 graduating class members.

In true Haxtun graduation fashion, typically Nall would ask each graduate to stand and turn to face the audience as a show of respect and gratitude for supporting them through school. "That is not possible in our unique situation, so when our virtual ceremony ends today, we will parade around town. Please take that time to notice everyone that comes out to support you. Please think back to the times that the police and fire departments escorted you out of town and then back in to town. Wave at the members of your community that came to your home contests and many of your away contests. Later, when you see these same people, take the time to give them thanks. If you need support in the future, they will also be there for you then," Nall added.

In closing, and before exiting the gym to cross the stage and receive their diplomas outdoors in a private, immediate-family-only ceremony, Nall left the graduates with these parting words, "As you go forth on your many paths, remember where you came from. You graduate today as a Haxtun Bulldog. It is something to be extremely proud of. To the best of my knowledge, there have been 109 classes come before you. In those 109 classes, many of you have siblings, parents, grandparents and other family members. For others, you are the first member of your family. They have each had their day, but today is your day to become the 110th class."