August 6, 2020 at 3:40 p.m.
Graduation delayed but not denied
'Resilient' Class of 2020 gets its moment in the sun
Graduation delayed but not denied
"Major milestones in our lives coincide with stressful, disruptive events for the entire world," Madeline Losch reminded her classmates as they celebrated their graduation in an outdoor ceremony at Mike Webster Stadium July 31. "How does that effect us? How does it not effect us? And how will it effect our futures?"
The answers to Losch's questions will be written in the ledger of history as the years roll by. Friday evening's ceremony, however, was a time to celebrate the end of the beginning of the lives of some 180 graduates and recognize the resilience they've shown in the face of adversity.
"Your school year ended very differently from others in the past. I feel it is important to look back at your journey to this point, to reflect on that and feel proud to be a Hodag," noted RHS principal Shane Dornfeld. "This has been a challenging year for our country, and the rest of the world thus far."
"One definition of resilience is 'the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness,'" he continued. "Another definition is 'the ability to spring back.' And a third definition states 'the process of adapting well in the face of adversity and stress.' The resilience you all have shown in the past years in school - and especially the last several months - have brought you to this place today. The resilience you have shown will also carry you on in your life after your high school years and through the next chapters of your life, whatever that might be."
He challenged the students to do whatever they are passionate about.
"There is no script for life," Dornfeld reminded the class. "It is now time for you to write your own story that you will continue to create for many more years to come."
The evening's celebration began with a parade of cars traversing from the Rhinelander Ice Association building down Timber Drive before ending at the high school. From there the soon-to-be graduates filed past the site of the Hodag Sports Complex, which is under construction, and into the stadium.
Just weeks ago, it was unclear whether this class would get to march across a stage at all or be forced to celebrate this milestone in a virtual setting.
The school board decided in mid-July to go ahead with an in-person ceremony, albeit with safety precautions.
In a nod to the need to limit the number of persons present, the choir and band performances were prerecorded. However, many of the hallmarks of graduation, like the speeches, were in line with commencement ceremonies held in Rhinelander for generations.
Student Council President Jaylen Janssen congratulated the seniors "for making it through the strangest of times to be here tonight."
"Each of us had a slightly different road to graduation, different classes, clubs, sports, jobs and extra-curriculars," Janssen said. "But in the end, we experienced the same thing; the early end to our senior year. We were all so excited about the extra week of spring break, which turned into many extra weeks."
She said she was disappointed that their last year of high school didn't turn out as expected, "but here we are, on the 19th week of spring break, ready to graduate," she added.
While the Class of 2020 was robbed of their final sports seasons, band and choir performances, school play and prom, some had other challenges to face due to their parents being out of work. All of the students also missed out on being able to say a proper goodbye to their teachers, underclassmen or the school itself.
"At this time, it is important that we keep our heads up, build community and consider how we see each other," Losch instructed.
Senior speaker Lisa White said that everyone has some kind of motto that gets them through life. She cited several famous but noted that her favorite one is Rhinelander High School's "Hodag Strong."
She explaining that the motto has had different meanings as the class progressed from freshmen to seeing their senior year end like no other class's had.
"Nothing could have ever prepared us for senior year," White said. "What began as the time of our lives has ended as a time we will never forget."
Faculty speaker Linda Goldsworthy noted she has been asked many times to speak at graduation and has always declined.
"I must admit, that the only reason I agreed to be the faculty speaker this year was because I truly believed this was going to be virtual," she said. "Although I have been asked several times, I have always said no. My reason is I was afraid of breaking down in tears in front of a large crowd such as you."
Since the setting sun was shining in her eyes, she had excuse to wear sunglasses and hide her tears, she added.
Goldsworthy said the original rough draft of her speech, which she thought she would give online, had all kinds of visual enhancements that had to be jettisoned when the district decided to have an in-person graduation.
She did remind the students, some of whom have traveled with her on school trips, of the one thing she always tells her student groups before they exit a bus.
"Remember who you are and what you represent," Goldsworthy said, adding that this goes beyond representing RHS to the entire Rhinelander community to the entire state and country. "Each action you take reflects not only on you, but also those you represent."
She added that if the class heeds only one piece of her advice it should be, "find something you love and find someone crazy enough to pay you to do it."
Holly Puza gave the valedictory address, reminding her classmates that the ceremony marked the finish line they had envisioned when they embarked on their educational careers 13 years earlier.
"Today means something different for each and every one of us," she said. "For some, it means no longer participating in the classroom, but now actively participating in the workforce or in the military. For others, leaving high school is simply the next step in your education. Whether that means continuing on to a university, community college or a technical college.'
"However, it is undeniable that today will separate your life into both a before and an after," she added.
She used most of her speech to remind her classmates of the "during" part of attending RHS that shaped every student seated on the field.
"Class of 2020, how did it go so fast? How was it only four years ago we entered this once so daunting school that we have grown so familiar with?" Puza asked. "How was it that we changed so much in such a short period of time?"
After sharing her own memories of being a wide-eyed freshman, she also noted the various skills they have all mastered in four years. She also pointed out some members of the class ventured outside their comfort zone to try things they never would have seen themselves doing prior to high school.
"All of these moments, all of these surprises and experiences, that were sometimes hidden behind the busyness of school work and the momentary distractions of life, these are what made our high school experience," Puza said. "The moments that took bravery, the moments that made you realize you are actually capable, the moments that left you in tears and laughter while trying to stay quiet in class. They are what makes Rhinelander High School a truly unique place, a second home."
Although the class was not able to do the traditional spring high school activities in their last year, "we, as a class, have still experienced so much," she added.
"Whether you made it happen or not, life did happen here at RHS," Puza said. "But the long awaited day has finally come for it to end. The time to confront the world outside the confines of the school has finally come. But it certainly isn't as terrifying as it should be, because being here today proves any one of us can overcome any obstacle put in our way. And that life will continue to happen, wherever we are, simply somewhere else."
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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