May 9, 2020

Neelyville families, parents and graduates took to their living rooms tonight to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2020. At 6 p.m. the school district started a live stream on its website that was designed in a similar style to a traditional graduation with speeches from administration and those at the top of the class...

Michael Shine Staff Writer
Each member of the Neelyville High School class of 2020 took individual pictures in their cap and gown due to social distancing. Yearbook advisor Irene Jackson manipulated the photos together into this class photo.
Each member of the Neelyville High School class of 2020 took individual pictures in their cap and gown due to social distancing. Yearbook advisor Irene Jackson manipulated the photos together into this class photo.Photo provided

Neelyville families, parents and graduates took to their living rooms tonight to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2020.

At 6 p.m. the school district started a live stream on its website that was designed in a similar style to a traditional graduation with speeches from administration and those at the top of the class.

Graduate Hailey Stewart said she watched the video with her closest family members and friends.

“It’s definitely different for sure and not what I was expecting, but ... knowing that even though COVID-19 took the physical ceremony away doesn’t mean that I still didn’t accomplish years of hard work, so I’m proud of myself and all my classmates,” she said.

Donny Emmons, Stewart’s father, said the virtual graduation is the next best thing to a traditional ceremony, but he is still hoping to have one with her.

The topic of COVID-19 was hard to avoid during the recognition ceremony with all four speakers bringing it up.

“No words can let you know how I feel inside for you guys and the hand that you’ve been dealt in the second half of your senior year,” High School Principal Justin Dobbins said. “From extracurricular cancellations to prom and graduation. It’s really something that in all my years of education, I’ve never even considered to happen.”

However, Dobbins said, he always talks about how everything is a learning opportunity and “if this isn’t, what is?”

Graduate Curtis Fowler said it does feel as though he’s learned something from this experience about acting with respect and general knowledge about life.

“I’ve learned to not take moments for granted,” Stewart said. “I remember always saying how I was ready to graduate and now that it’s here and approached so fast I wish I would’ve stopped and just enjoyed it.”

Dobbins agreed with Fowler about the class learning more about life and facing the obstacles that they may have later in life due to the experiences they’ve had.

Salutatorian Emily Dollins said she originally planned to talk about cherishing the little moments in life and remembering them, but COVID-19 has changed things.

“At the beginning of the year, people would talk to me about how my senior year would be the greatest year of my life, but I really just wanted to get it over with and graduate,” she said. “Now I look back and think I never should have tried to rush my senior year because now it’s gone … We all have had an experience the majority of other people cannot say they’ve had.”

Dollins said when the pandemic hit, she was just thinking it would be a week out of school, but the students have been out since March 17.

“We were never given the opportunity to prepare ourselves for those last moments and that makes this so much harder,” she said. “…We never got to make those last high school memories and that is the saddest part about this all.”

Graduates Jacob Abner, Noah Burton and Ryan Armes wear face masks that match their cap and gown.
Graduates Jacob Abner, Noah Burton and Ryan Armes wear face masks that match their cap and gown.Photo provided

Some of the things she’s learned from this, Dollins said, is that life isn’t fair and you need to learn from the hardships to move on from them.

“The senior class of 2020 will forever be known as the class that didn’t graduate,” she said. “Take that lesson — that life never turns out as you planned — and build on that knowledge, that just because it’s not about what you put in doesn’t mean that it can’t be good and worthwhile.”

Valedictorian Taylor Asher agreed with Dollins that many of the class’s “most valuable memories were taken away from us this year.” However, she said, the students still have many valuable memories that they’ve made together.

“We are in one of the most exciting times of our lives now,” Asher said. “We finally have the opportunity to go to college and chase our dreams … The world is now basically in our hands.”

Emmons said it’s bitter sweet to see Stewart finishing high school. She will be attending Three Rivers College with a cheer scholarship to pursue a degree in elementary education.

“It’s bitter sweet,” he said. “She’s accomplished a lot, she’s receiving an athletic scholarship, but she’s missed a lot of things that a lot of seniors get to experience, but she’s a bright girl and she has a bright future.”

Fowler will be playing basketball at Kaskaskia College and studying criminal justice.

“It feels great, to be honest. I’m just sad that it’s over,” he said.

“I am sad but I am thankful for all the teachers and staff that have been putting in their personal time in trying to make it as memorable as possible,” Stewart agreed.

Superintendent Debra Parish encouraged the students and families to put the negatives of the situation to the side and focus on the positives.

“While the world has changed, the important things have not,” she said. “You do have the … knowledge and skills required to be successful as you enter into the next phase of your life … We hope this alternative can be a catalyst for joy and celebration for today.”

An in-person graduation for the class is scheduled for June 6.

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