Photo courtesy of Cecilia Brooks and WHS
By Rama K. Ramaswamy
This class of 2020 has had a senior season like no other. With almost all ceremonies and proms cancelled, WPS will celebrate with cars, trucks and floats. Teachers, administrators and community members unanimously agree that the most important thing is that this year's seniors know that they are cared about. Plans are underway for a 'Town Wide Parade-Graduation Celebration' on June 6 at 9:00 a.m. The Wellesley community is welcomed to join in to cheer along the parade route (all safety pandemic-related precautions stand).
Parent Cecilia Brooks acknowledges that "town officials, WPS, WHS, police have united to support our seniors for this graduation parade and put together this amazing event."
"Obviously this is not the culmination to our high school experience that any of us could have ever expected, so there’s definitely a broad sense of sadness and loss among the seniors," explains WHS senior class president Ryan Silverstein. "I know we all still have high hopes that the town can pull off a late-summer ceremony that adheres to social distancing guidelines, but in the mean time, we are excited to celebrate and recognize our graduation date together. We really appreciate all the help and support of the town and parent volunteers who are working hard to celebrate the seniors in such an unusual time. The parade is giving us something to look forward to, but it’s also bittersweet in a lot of ways."
"It definitely is crazy, but all things considered, we’ve been very lucky that graduation/prom is our biggest concern," WHS senior class treasurer Jason Norris said. "As for the car parade, I’m excited for it! I trust that the administration and the parents will do a good job organizing it, as us class officers are really more focused on coordinating smaller 'virtual' events right now and a graduation ceremony over the summer, however that may look. My only fear is that after the car parade, the administration won’t feel obligated to help us with the graduation ceremony over the summer. It is obviously a very tentative idea, but it would be a socially-distant graduation ceremony over the summer, whether that means we all sit 6 feet apart, guests are limited to parents only, and we all wear masks. No matter how respectful we are of social distancing regulations, we are aware that a public gathering of 600-plus people is likely to not be allowed, so we are prepared to go all in on this car parade. It is definitely a creative way to celebrate the past four years, and I know my classmates and myself are all very excited and grateful for all the hard work that has been put into the parade!!"
WHS Principal Dr. Jamie Chisum said, "We are excited to celebrate our senior the way they deserved," said Principal Dr. Jamie Chisum. "They worked hard to get to graduation, and we hope to have fun. Please socially distance during this parade and please celebrate at the seniors who have worked so hard to get to this point in their life. Wellesley Media will be televising the parade. Looking forward to June 6th Parade."
Congratulations to the class of 2020. The parade route is just below.
