SAUGUS — It’s been an unusual year to say the least.
On Saturday, following a final semester cut abruptly short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Saugus High School’s class of 2020 celebrated their accomplishment with a notably traditional graduation, finally marking the end of one of the most tumultuous school years in recent memory.
“Usually I try to share insight, advice, or at least a comment, but right now the thing that comes to mind is, ‘wow!'” said principal Michael Hashem as he addressed roughly 150 students gathered on Stackpole field. “In 30 years of education, I thought I was prepared for anything, but I fully admit, this year was a shock.”
With a ceremony initially scheduled for June 5, the district was forced to grapple with a confusing new reality back in March when schools across the state shut down indefinitely in response to the global public health crisis.
For Saugus in particular, however, lockdown presented a unique set of problems as the town prepared to move to its new middle-high school building in April.
Within weeks, the virus halted all new-school plans — as well as every beloved senior-year tradition — in their tracks, and several students noted that when they walked out the doors of Saugus High March 13, they had no idea it would be the last time they ever set foot in the old building, which was demolished last month to make room for a new sports field.
In his speech, valedictorian Matthew Lanney praised his classmates for coming together virtually during such a trying time, calling the class of 2020 “the most special class … to grace the halls of Saugus High School.”
“When we could have given up because it was the end of our year anyway, we continued to press on in remote learning. We still participated in a virtual spirit week. We were all in contact with each other, offering support in any way we could,” he said. “What does that say about a group of people?
“We united in a way no class has ever done before.”
Although students still wore red caps and gowns to receive their diplomas in front of a modest crowd of loved ones, there were certainly some noticeable differences compared to graduations of years past.
Sitting in chairs spaced exactly six feet apart, each student, as well as faculty and family in the stands, wore a face mask, and no band played to congratulate the graduates at the end of the hour-long ceremony.
Ultimately, though, Hashem said he felt the administration provided students with the “traditional as possible” ceremony they requested in a formal poll in May.
“I think the kids got what they really wanted,” Hashem said. “It was great the town came together. (They) worked to make it possible, and adhered what needed to be adhered to in order to make it possible.”
He later added: “Just the pandemic itself, while it’s unfortunate, I think it sets (the class of 2020) apart from everybody else … They were the last to graduate from the old high school, they were the first to have a car parade, the first to have a drive-in movie, they had banners in town. There were a lot of firsts for this class, and they will definitely not be forgotten.”
