News : Vinton-Shellsburg Class of 2020 Graduation, not without a change of plans

A congratulatory elbow bump was customary at the 2020 graduation ceremony this year

-Newsitorial

I should have known, I mean it WAS obvious. Plans for an outdoor graduation ceremony would, of COURSE, be rained out this year. A couple of hours before the ceremony was supposed to begin thunder began followed by rain. I thought, "This class just cannot catch a break!"

Arriving an hour early, I panicked as I saw the almost full parking lot. Quickly checking the website, I saw that I WASN'T late, and was relieved to see that so many other people in town are punctual to the fault of being super early.

Now maybe I'm just getting emotional in my "older" age, or maybe it's because I am getting to know more of your stories and more of you. Or maybe it's just because that's the way it should be. Whatever the reason, I found myself choking up at this year's 2020 graduation.

The first time was before the ceremony, as I got my camera out and started scanning the crowd across from me and snapping pictures of random people that I knew, just to make sure that the camera was working. I remembered doing that last year. Then I remembered that some of the pictures I took like that last year, wouldn't happen this year, but they should have. I remembered that there were 99 graduates, but there should have been an even 100.

Then as the graduates streamed in the oddness of the whole graduation this year hit me. The chairs 6 feet apart. The lack of grandparents in the audience. At the same time. with the crowd size, it felt pretty normal.

As the retiring Superintendent spoke, I thought, "I'm going to miss her, but I think they picked a good replacement." Hit me right in the "feels" again. While we don't meet over a cup of coffee, Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock had been welcoming and easily accessible to answer questions, fill me in when things are happening, explaining things I didn't understand and I loved having someone I felt I could "bother" if I needed to. Then there's the whole, you just can't beat having such a gracious lady around steering the ship.

There were light moments too. Oh my, Lauren Upmeyer had us in stitches as she addressed the crowd. Not meant for comedic relief her speech was followed up with a bleach wipe being applied to the microphone, which of course made everyone chuckle. The faculty, who had been elected by the graduating class, stepped up to speak. Before they even began, Mrs. Steffen pulled out her step stool to help her see over the podium, and Ms. Cox pulled out her tape measure so that the two could stand the suggested 6 feet apart which of course sent ripples of laughter through the crowd. As the two spoke it was clear the love that they shared for their students and their enjoyment of teaching.

As part of the special recognition near the end of the program, graduates that were enlisting in the military were recognized, which also made my heart swell with pride. Thank you, graduates, for your upcoming service, you make us proud.

There were pictures that I missed this year. The hats. I was impressed last year with the creativity shown in the caps and this year, the arrangements for seating didn't allow for great picture taking during the ceremony like last year.

So, Class of 2020, let's hope this year has used up all of the bad luck, rotten turn of events, and used up all of the possible applications of Murphy's law for at least the next several decades for you! Good luck to you all!

Click here to see photos and here to see video of the ceremony (Facebook) or on YouTube