Graduation celebration: cohesive ceremony returns after pandemic

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Seniors picked up their caps and gowns during their lunch periods on April 28. They are reminded to continue to check their email for important information regarding graduation and other senior events!

After thirteen years of being Hillers, the time has come for the Class of 2022 to graduate from the halls of Trinity and begin to navigate their futures. This class was one especially impacted by COVID-19, as many Trinity activities were interrupted by the pandemic. Despite these hardships, graduates and administrators are hopeful for another successful Trinity graduation ceremony to make one last happy Hiller memory. 

On June 3, the Class of 2022 will finally walk across the stage and be met with their diplomas. The ceremony is set to begin at 5:15 for all graduates, which is a welcome  difference from last year’s three smaller ceremonies. 

In 2021, the separate ceremonies were held to comply with state and CDC guidelines. This meant that ceremonies were much shorter and speakers were split up among the individual times. Even these three separate events were an improvement from 2020, which required five very small graduation ceremonies during the height of the pandemic. 

This year, however, graduates will enjoy one cohesive ceremony featuring all of the regular speakers, including valedictorians, salutorian, honor graduate, student council members, Dr. Lucas and Mr. Uram.

Students this year will receive six guest tickets to attend the ceremony.

 Assistant Principal Mr. Dunn is eager to have an event where safety protocols can be very limited due to the much-improved nature of the pandemic. Masks are not required, regardless of if the ceremony is held indoors or outdoors, and social distancing is now an aspect of graduations past.

Overall, Dunn is looking forward to having a more normal “celebration” this year, as he prefers to call it. Last year, he experienced the event as the parent of a graduating senior. Now, he is hoping for another great celebration of the senior class, hopefully held outdoors on the lawn. He stressed that Trinity is fortunate to have one of the best venues for graduation and that the event is always planned impeccably.

“The graduations that have to take place indoors at Trinity because of poor weather are very good. The graduations that occur outdoors are simply spectacular. I don’t believe there is a nicer venue than our school’s front lawn and greenery,” said Dunn.

He also was sure to mention that the staff acts like a “first-rate grounds crew” in preparation for the day. Herr McLaughlin also echoed this in hoping for good weather because the ceremonies held on the lawn are “beautiful” and “fantastic.”

Regardless of where the ceremony is held or how the weather holds up, Dunn is excited that the Class of 2022 is going to experience what is a “truly classic graduation celebration.” He hopes graduates realize that leaving Trinity is not the end, but only the beginning.

Mr. Polansky also shared his hopes for the Class of 2022.

“I just want them to find happiness because I think sometimes that’s the hardest thing to achieve. You can have a career and money but happiness is harder to come by,” said Polansky.

The Class of 2022’s hard work will surely not go unnoticed with a wonderful celebration this year. Good luck to all graduating seniors!