HOPE — A sense of normalcy and the appreciation of tradition could be felt Friday throughout the Hauser Jr.-Sr. High gymnasium as commencement exercises were held for the Class of 2021.
“I’m just so glad we were all able to get together to appreciate a little bit of regularity,” said Parker Whitson after watching her brother receive his diploma. “Even though we had to wear our masks, it was nice to just finally be around people again.”
Hauser graduate Justice Gilliland remembers when a 40-minute video showing seven seconds of each senior walking in front of the gym bleachers constituted most of last year’s commencement. The virtual ceremony was one of many precautions taken to keep the COVID-19 virus from spreading.
“I felt very lucky to get the opportunity to have an in-person graduation,” said Gilliland as several family members took photos after the event.
Valedictorian Aunaka Wasil, daughter of Nigel Wasil and DeAndrea Sargent, provided a light and humorous address as she reminded fellow graduates how fast time moves — and how soon it will be before they start getting nostalgic around youngsters about their years at Hauser.
But on a serious note, Wasil encouraged her classmates to follow their passions as adults, and to always remember that “once a Jet, always a Jet.”
Principal David Wintin took time to speak on the challenges that dominated the year. Friday’s graduates were juniors on spring break when the March 20, 2020 announcement came that all K-12 schools were closing. As it turned out, all students experienced eLearning at home for the remainder of the academic year.
A few months later, the new school year got off to a strong start when students, teachers and staff members greeted each other on campus on Aug. 4. For many, it was the first time they had seen each other in five months.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 reared its ugly head again after 16 Hauser students were diagnosed with the virus in mid-November. As a result, most students experienced either vacation or at-home eLearning from Nov. 19 until Jan. 11, the principal told the crowd.
“We tried to help each other through struggles we never anticipated,” Wintin said in his address. “We’ve dealt with our own social and emotional challenges. It has truly been a long road.”
The principal agreed with Flat Rock-Hawcreek Superintendent Shawn Price that there have been significant achievements made by the Hauser Class of 2021.
“If you look at the amount of scholarship monies that this class is going to take with them to prepare them for their next endeavors, it’s just incredible,” Price said.
Thirty five of the 74 Hauser graduates (74%) are sharing $1,165,600 in grants and scholarships, according to the commencement program. But what may stand out the most about the class of 2021 is how they really stuck together as a class, Price said.
The challenges over the past few years also helped the students mature, as well as realize how tough they are, Wintin said.
One unexpected moment during the commencement was when Salutatorian Tamara Essex delayed her address to bring fellow graduate Maylee Sue Barriger to the podium to say a prayer. Both Essex and Barriger focused largely on being blessed with loving families and caring teachers.
Students in the Hope area have a history of organizing their own prayer gatherings, which became evident in the words of class president Emily Harker during her brief address.
“God has a plan for us,” Harker said. “He calls us to do wonderful things.”
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Number of graduates: 74
Valedictorian: Aunaka Wasil
Salutatorian: Tamara Essex
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For more photos, see therepublic.com.
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