[Oops…other photo had the pics reversed, my bad.] Fairhaven High School senior class president Abigail Bernardo literally jumps for joy after receiving her diploma on 5/31/20 at a different kind of commencement ceremony that included face masks and social distancing due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David
The word “awesome” got bandied about quite a bit at the non-traditional commencement ceremony for Fairhaven High School graduates on Sunday, 5/31/20. Parents, school officials, and even students seemed a bit surprised at how much everyone seemed to love the event, which consisted of a parade from Acushnet to Fairhaven High School in a route that took students to Fort Phoenix and past all their elementary schools.
Members of the community in Acushnet and Fairhaven lined the whole route. Parents, students, and school staff all expressed amazement when the event wrapped up at the high school.
Students rode up in the passenger side, walked one by one through a balloon arch with their masks on; picked up their diplomas instead of having it handed to them; then took off their masks for a photo; then headed back to their cars at the school entrance.
During the parade and as they drove by the school, drivers honked their horns, students hung out the windows giving fist pumps, with cell phones recording, and the public lining the road followed suit.
Mikenzie Perry gives a hoot and a holler to the spectators lining the street at Fairhaven High School during the parade that was part of the non-traditional commencement on 5/31/20. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
The procession went to Fort Phoenix, then passed by the two elementary schools, then went to the middle school where the cars regrouped for the ride to the high school to pick up their diplomas.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the FHS seniors were not able to have the traditional ceremony so beloved by FHS alumni, parents, and school staff. The school building has been closed since March 13, so seniors finished out their senior year remotely.
“It’s been a challenge,” said FHS principal Andrew Kulak. “But it also creates an opportunity to do things a little differently.”
He noted that the institution of school has not changed in more than 100 years. It is, however, also a little early to know if those changes are good or bad.
With some students, it was “well received,” he said, but it has been a “challenge” for others. He said he is hoping they will be able do things better in the future.
“The kids will adjust and adapt to doing things a new way,” he said.
It is unclear if students will be allowed in the building in the fall. He is waiting for the guidelines.
Matthew J. Morris holds up his diploma in triumph on 5/31/20 at a different kind of commencement ceremony that included face masks and social distancing due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David.
“I imagine we will be in school. I hope we will be in school,” said Mr. Kulak, but acknowledged it will more likely be a combination of remote learning and classes in the building.
“The safety element is key,” for students and staff, he said.
“Out of crisis comes opportunity,” said superintendent of schools Robert N. Baldwin. “As a community, there has not been a whole lot of opportunity for us to come together. What better way to come together than to celebrate our kids?”
He stressed “everyone,” saying that it was a Herculean effort by the police and fire departments in both towns to work out the logistics. And the staff and faculty at each elementary and middle school were also there to greet the students.
They also had to clear the plan with the town’s health agent.
Some people, however, wanted to wait until the end of summer to hold a traditional ceremony.
“Of course, it’s unchartered waters,” said Dr. Baldwin. “The kids deserve to graduate on time.”
He said an August event would just not be the same. By then, the graduates should be “looking in the windshield,” he said, not the rearview mirror.
“They will be looking at what’s next. We had to provide closure now,” he said.
“This is unforgettable. The whole town is celebrating the graduates,” said Selectboard chairperson Charles K. Murphy, Sr. “I think it’s awesome that so many people came out to cheer on the graduates.”
School Committee chairperson Brian Monroe said it was “overwhelming to see all the smiling faces.”
Gretchen Hubert can barely hold back the tears as she records her daughter Grace* picking up her diploma on 5/31/20 at a different kind of commencement ceremony that included face masks and social distancing due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David. (*Fixes error from previous versions: Grace, not Claire)
He said this year “will probably go down as the most special graduation in Fairhaven High School history.”
He said fire and police departments from all over the region participated. It made the event even more special, but the students deserve it.
“This is historic. We’re living history right now,” said Mr. Monroe. “It was totally awesome.”
Jeremiah Torres holds up his diploma in triumph on 5/31/20 at a different kind of commencement ceremony that included face masks and social distancing due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David.
Assistant superintendent Tara Quirk Kohler said the whole crisis has allowed people to “refocus on priorities.”
“The simple things,” she said. “And not taking things for granted.”
And, after it was over, the diplomas handed out, the crowd gone, Dr. Baldwin made a simple observation.
“That was a good day,” he said. “That was a good day.”
In the middle of the event, as cars were driving up, parents and family members also voiced their approval of the non-traditional event.
“They did a great job,” said Cathy Melanson when the family car drove by as her granddaughter received her diploma. “This was awesome.”
And, just in case you thought that the day lacked the emotion of the traditional ceremony, fear not, there were plenty of tears along the route.
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