BHS graduation: The picture of perseverance
Barrington High School celebrates Class of 2023
Normally, people attending a Barrington High School graduation ceremony in early June are greeted with bright sunshine and warm temperatures.
That was not the case this year.
On Sunday, …
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BHS graduation: The picture of perseverance
Barrington High School celebrates Class of 2023
Normally, people attending a Barrington High School graduation ceremony in early June are greeted with bright sunshine and warm temperatures.
That was not the case this year.
On Sunday, June 4, members of the Class of 2023 gathered on Victory Field as temperatures hovered in the 50s, dark clouds filled the sky, and a cold wind blew in from the northeast.
But the fall-like weather did little to dampen the spirits of this year’s graduates. And as BHS Principal Chris Ashley noted in his speech, the Class of 2023 has overcome plenty of challenges.
“Beginning freshman year, it would have been impossible to predict the trajectory of events you experienced over the next four years,” he said. “When you were thrust into virtual learning the spring of your freshman year, you persevered through the challenges of staying connected to continue learning and remain safe.
“You remained resilient during your sophomore and junior years with the uncertainties of COVID protocols and changing schedules to continue working hard and stay focused on your academics.
“And as your senior year started, you were finally able to enjoy the traditions, activities and milestones of your final year at BHS…”
Earlier in his speech, Ashley thanked many people including the staff and maintenance team which helped organize and execute Sunday’s commencement.
Families of graduating seniors worried that the inclement weather might force the ceremony indoors, as it did with the Friendship Service on Saturday. An inside graduation ceremony would have limited each student to just three tickets for their friends and family members.
But by mid-morning on Sunday, Ashley had emailed the high school community with good news: BHS graduation would take place outside on Victory Field.
Families began arriving before 1 o’clock for the 2 p.m. ceremony, and by the time the band began playing “Pomp and Circumstance,” the bleachers at Victory Field were filled. A large crowd gathered around the fence bordering the track.
BHS Senior Class President Stella Densley offered a welcome address, reminding this year’s graduates that it was important to keep on trying, keep on attempting, even if the results were sometimes embarrassing.
“Simply being ‘embarrassing’ has opened up so many opportunities, it’s allowed for freedom where I didn’t think it was possible, and just brought on a lighter experience during such a stressful time,” she said.
“I urge you all to embrace the embarrassing. It’s not as bad as you may think.”
Graduating senior Anna Saal shared her essay with the large crowd at Victory Field on Sunday afternoon. She compared the school’s mascot, the eagle, with the spirit of this year’s graduates. She said eagles are a symbol of freedom, power and resilience.
“Over the past four years, we have faced many challenges, from difficult classes to extracurricular activities to personal struggles. But through it all, we have learned the power of perseverance, hard work, and determination,” she said. “We have learned that success is not just about achieving our own goals, but also about supporting and uplifting those around us.”
Senior Morgan Medeiros shared her essay as well, reminding her classmates that graduation was just the beginning.
“We are standing at the start of a new phase in our lives, and the choices we make now will shape our future,” she said.
“Although the process of high school may be over, our learning journey is about to completely change as some of us go off to college, the work force, or pursue our passions. The most important thing to remember is that we have the ability to take on whatever challenges come our way.”
