“A year and a half ago, if you asked me what I was worried most about for my senior year, I probably would have said the switch to block scheduling,” joked Columbus East High School Salutatorian Jaylyn Nelson. “However, in light of the global pandemic, I’m sure all of our priorities have altered.”
Jaylyn and the rest of East’s Class of 2021 held their commencement on the school’s football field Saturday. In spite of a somewhat chilly and damp morning, 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, as one might expect, the event’s speakers did not shy away from addressing the events of the past year. Jaylyn, for instance, talked about how the unexpected circumstances of that time also led to “more personalized” senior projects.
“It is important to remember that change can bring about great success,” she said. “’Jentezen Franklin said that ‘impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles.’”
She encouraged her classmates to hold on to their “determination to defy the odds.”
Prinicipal Mark Newell applauded graduates for their hard work even in these unusual times.
“Each and every one of you has your own unique success story that now includes the challenge of COVID,” he said. “You persevered. You stepped up, met the challenge, and we’re here to celebrate your story.”
Superintendent Jim Roberts commended students for enduring “quite the tumultuous time” and offered encouragement for the next phase of their lives.
“You have arrived at this time, this place, prepared to start this next race of your life, the race that takes you into the real world,” he said.
However, speakers didn’t just honor the graduates and their futures; some also reflected on the past, offering tribute and a moment of silence for the late Tony Pottorff, a beloved social studies teacher at East who died in December of complications resulting from advanced breast cancer.
Class Vice President Marin Wieneke announced that for their senior gift, the class of 2021’s Student Assembly has decided to work with the Art Honors Society to design a mural memorializing Pottorff.
“Mr. Pottorff’s strong impact continues to shine through the halls of East,” Wieneke said. “We hope that this gift will not only commemorate our teacher’s life but also encourage a legacy of kindness, understanding and bravery in his honor.”
Pottorff’s kindness “touched every student that came through his classroom,” said Jaylyn.
“You were the example of a fighter in every way,” she said of Pottorff. “And you taught us how to be positive even in our darkest moments.”
In spite of everything that could have made the ceremony dismal, from the blustery weather to the events of the past year (including the loss of Pottorff), each speaker brought that same warmth and encouragement to the class of 2021.
“You have gotten to this day, this moment,” Roberts told graduates. “You have had some help along the way, but as comedian Carol Burnett once said, ‘Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.’”
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Number of graduates: 339
Co-Valedictorians: Brock Burbrink and Emma Edwards tied for the spot. Both students attended Columbus Signature Academy New Tech and walked with CSA on Thursday.
Salutatorian: Jaylyn Nelson
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A livestreamed video of East’s graduation ceremony is available on the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s YouTube channel.
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For more photos, go to therepublic.com.
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