COLUMBUS, Ind. — “To be honest, I expected to attend this ceremony through a screen, dressed in my oversized hoodie, with my trusty portable fan,” joked Salutatorian Trisha Reddy Yerragudi as she addressed Columbus North’s class of 2021.
The graduates had commencement on North’s football field Saturday. In spite of some unseasonably cold weather, the in-person setting was undoubtedly a welcome change to most families after last year’s virtual ceremony due to the pandemic.
There were still some visible changes due to COVID-19, including the outdoor setting, masks on participants and a six ticket limit per senior.
And, of course, the events of the past year were mentioned by the event’s speakers.
Superintendent Jim Roberts commended graduates for their “patience, flexibility and resilience” amid challenges.
“You have endured quite the tumultuous time,” he said. “You have persevered. You have arrived at this time, this place, prepared to start this next race of your life, a race that takes you into the real world.”
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