One last night together: Class of 2020 graduates at Newton Field

Despite COVID-19 canceling the school year and a threat of storms, the Graham High School Class of 2020 held their graduation Friday at Newton Field where the students spoke about what they lost this year and something they said they will never forget, each other.

After an introduction by Graham High School Principal Joe Gordy, Senior Class Vice President and Distinguished Honor Graduate (third in class) Claire Jones gave the welcome address for the ceremony and addressed those in the audience and viewing from home via livestream and the district’s Facebook page.

“It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to the ceremony of celebration honoring the Class of 2020,” Jones said. “With so much uncertainty that has come this semester, the Class of 2020 is certain of this, we are thankful to live in the community of Graham. We are thankful to be gathered here today even though six-to-eight feet apart, to end an outstanding chapter in our lives. We thank you for being a part of this ceremony, whether that be in person or viewing from the safety of your home.”

At GHS, Jones was a part of Student Council, Blue Crew, Lady Blues Basketball, Youth Lead, Student Activity Leadership Team, Key Club, National Honor Society, Lady Blues Track and was named Ms. GHS and Best All-Around Girl. She plans to attend Abilene Christian University and major in Communication, with a minor Graphic Design.

Following the address by Jones was the pledge of allegiance, national anthem and an introduction of student achievements by Gordy recognizing the honor students and top three students of the Class of 2020.

Salutatorian Alex Husen made her address following Gordy’s recognition. She started her address by thanking Gordy and Graham ISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse for making the in-person graduation possible, teachers for having to deal with online assessments, parents for dealing with students at home due to school being canceled, local photographer David Flynn and her family. She spoke on how the students had no idea that would be ending school prematurely.

“These last few months I have found myself thinking about that last week of school that we had no idea would be our last time to walk the halls of Graham High School as students,” she said. “If I would have known that the day we left for Spring Break we would never come back, there are so many things I would have done differently. Like, I would have shown up to Ms. (Sara Jo) Carrico’s class on time, I would have probably put on jeans instead of sweats and I would have hugged all of my friends and teachers while I still had the chance to.”

Husen spoke about how uncertain the future is right now and followed an inspirational quote from the fictional character Rocky Balboa with a direct message to her classmates.

“Guys, we have lost a lot this past year, UIL competitions, games, concerts, you name it. Things we will never get back and it’s more than valid to be upset,” she said. “This was supposed to be our year. It is okay to be sad for a moment, but guys we have so much ahead of us. Some of us are going to college or university, some of us are going to technical schools, some of us are going into the military and some of us are on track to be famous rappers. Our whole lives are in front of us.”

At GHS, Husen was a part of Lady Blues Volleyball, Lady Blues Softball, Student Council as President, Technology Student Association, Key Club, Youth Lead, Student Activity Leadership Team, UIL Speech and Academics and National Honor Society. Husen plans to attend Southwestern University where she will pursue a degree in Biochemistry and play volleyball for the university.

Following Husen’s speech was another recognition by Gordy for the students who he said were unable to practice their graduation ceremony prior or their speeches for the ceremony other than through a handful of meetings on Google Hangouts.

Valedictorian Hank Graham made his address following Gordy’s introduction and expressed his excitement for being able to give his speech in person at the event. He followed up by giving thanks to all who were involved in making the night a possibility for the students.

“I want to thank the administration of Graham ISD for working so hard to let us have this graduation in person,” he said. “I think that I can speak for all of us when I say that we so appreciate you doing this for us. I also want to thank all of my teachers, because I know that I would not be here today where I am without all of your generous participation grades. Thank you to all my friends for never once becoming (...) irritated with me when I got stressed out about school.”

Graham thanked his family for showing up and supporting him and said he did not want to talk about everything missed due to COVID-19, but would acknowledge the fact it happened. He spoke on personal things he missed from high school, such as visits to the library and finishing his One-Act Play season.

“I believe that you could replace me with any one of my fellow classmates and they could rattle off a similar list of everyday moments like those that made our time at Graham High School what it was,” he said. “(...) tempting to say that these last nine weeks ruined our high school experience, but the truth is that they didn’t. Nine weeks just cannot erase the past 12 years that we have been together. When I wrote that sentence I was struck by the realization that all of us really have been together, more or less, for the majority of our lives. (...) and I as I think about the fact that this may very well be the last meeting of this exact group of people, I find myself in the prose of this bittersweet emotional roller coaster and for quite possibly the first time in my life, I am at a complete and total loss for words.”

Graham spoke about there being no way to describe a class as diverse in opinion and ideas as the Class of 2020. He said no matter where each graduate goes they have a home to return to where they are accepted.

“We have a community to come home to and we have a community that loves us,” he said. “If there is one thing I can say about Graham and I know we all heard it a thousand times, but it is so true, that Graham really does support Graham and we are so much better for having grown up in a place that really cherishes and supports the kids that make their way through here because we can take the messages that we learned here and apply them wherever we end up.”

Graham said he could not talk about the community without opening about himself as a person.

“I decided that tonight would be the best time to share my whole self with all of you in the most Hank Graham way possible, which is to say very publicly about possibly humiliating, and so all of that is just to say that I’m standing before you all my friends (...) my family, my community to tell you proudly as I can that I am gay,” he said. “(...) and I say that not only for myself, but for anybody out there who is watching this who struggled with the same feelings with which I have struggled for my entire life so that hopefully they don’t feel like they have to hide that part of themselves.”

At GHS, Graham was a part of Rompin’ Stompin’ Big Blue Band, GHS Theatre, One-Act Play, UIL Academics, National Honor Society, Youth Lead and Student Activity Leadership Team. Graham plans to attend Yale University where he will double major in Theatre and Performance Studies and Humanities.

Along with the top three students, over 150 graduates were recognized after the presentation of the class by Cruse. The evening was cut short when Gordy announced that storms were 20 miles out from Graham, so students were quickly rushed in a line on and off the stage.

Despite not being able to throw their hats at the conclusion of the school song as done annually by the students of GHS, the students were able to spend one final night with each other.