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After a year of challenges, the Elmwood Park High School class of 2021 finished the year with an outdoor ceremony Sunday in sweltering temperatures.
“In a year when change was constant, you moved ahead,” said District 401 Superintendent Leah Gauthier. “In a year when perseverance was the only option, you moved ahead.”
The ceremony was held outside at the Elmwood Park High School football stadium as temperatures soared into the 90s. The outdoor venue allowed school officials to conduct a somewhat traditional ceremony. Last year, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates had a drive-thru ceremony with recorded speeches.
Due to the pandemic, Elmwood Park students experienced their final year of school in a myriad of ways: fully remote learning, hybrid learning (partially remote), fully in-person. However, Gauthier said the unusual year provided a learning experience for students.
“This unique school year has given you skills and a deeper perspective that will influence you from this day forward,” Gauthier said.
After a year dominated by the pandemic, Salutatorian Kamil Kotarski and Valedictorian Juliet Rose Howard avoided the topic. Instead, each shared their views, memories and perspectives for the future with their fellow classmates.
“Live more, worry less,” Kotarski said. “This is an expression that everyone can and should live by.”
Kotarski said becoming too embroiled in details and small issues can obscure the big picture and prevent someone from truly enjoying life and appreciating what they have.
“Yes, you should want to give everything an honest effort,” Kotarski said. “But remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead, focus on the big picture.”
Howard said she didn’t want to talk about the pandemic; rather, she wanted to focus on the memories and experiences that helped shape her and her graduating peers.
“The students’ bond throughout these four years has been amazing to witness and to be a part of,” she said. “Wherever we end up, we will always remember the impact that Elmwood Park High School has had on us.”
Howard compared the past four years to a movie each individual experienced on their own. She said the experiences and memories would play like a movie in the head of graduates when they think back on their time at Elmwood Park High School.
“And this day is our ending credits,” she said.
