Unique commencement ceremony provides fitting conclusion for H-D-CAL seniors

After their final of year of high school was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School Class of 2020 finally had a little luck in the form of a picture perfect afternoon for the school’s first ever outdoor commencement ceremony Sunday.

Rain and thunder earlier in the morning gave way to sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s, despite the forecast calling for additional chances of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Looking at the sun soaked parking lot, filled with vehicles containing seniors and their families, H-D-CAL High School Principal Steve Madson could only smile at the fortune.

“Wow, we pulled it off,” he said. “It’s a miracle. I know there were a lot of prayers sent up and they were answered.”

The break in inclement weather was a consolation prize of sorts for the seniors who had sports seasons ended abruptly, prom postponed and several other events cancelled. Because of the interruptions in the school year, the senior class was determined to have a commencement ceremony as scheduled in hopes that all students could attend and celebrate the end of an unusual year together.

Addressing the crowd, Madson talked about the meetings with the senior leadership committee and the possibilities of what could be done in place of the traditional ceremony. Many of the “what ifs” and the reality that seniors may lose out on yet another milestone event led to shock and sorrow. That shock, Madson said, soon turned into determination and eventually, the plan that was executed Sunday was put into place.

Madson encouraged the crowd to not think of the modified ceremony as a product of the pandemic, but rather as a symbol of the strength and unity of the seniors, the staff and the community.

“This is not misfortune, this is an opportunity. This is a celebration,” he said. “The whole community pulled together to make this happen.”

Claire Wragge, class president, said that the determination of the senior class has allowed students to be seen as leaders for future classes.

“I feel that our class, the Class of 2020, will show others what it’s like to be a leader with traits such as grit, passion and resiliency,” she said. “We will do the unimaginable and the unthinkable things that no one else dares to try. We will persevere through difficult times.”

Briana Grover, Class of 2020 representative, added that the seniors gathered in the parking lot Sunday will go down as one of the most unique, memorable senior classes in school history.

“I’m sure many of you have heard this, but we were born during the hard time of 9/11, so what better way of leaving than in a pandemic,” she said. “We’ve always wanted to be different and have an epic ending, and here we are.”

She said that the outdoor ceremony is a reminder that opportunities can be found in the most unlikely of places and that together, nothing is too far out of reach.

“Just remember, sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to but at the same time, God gives us so much more in return,” she said. “May we never forget that the glass is always half full.

“We’ve learned to live because at any moment, it could be taken away from us,” she added. “We’ve learned to love others so much more and that seeing people is so important.”

Sunday’s ceremony not only marked the end of high school for the seniors, but also marked the end of the career of one of the most beloved teachers at H-D-CAL. Carolyn Kingland-Hanson, affectionately known as “K-H”, provided the keynote address, her last duty as an instructor after 34 years with the district. Kingland-Hanson used that opportunity as a chance to thank the students, staff and community for their support over the years, but her address wasn’t without the energy and enthusiasm that has earned the love and respect of students year after year. Before beginning her speech, Kingland-Hanson told the crowd she had a surprise. She introduced “The Lawn Chair Brigade,” a group of teachers who performed a dance to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”

The light hearted show set the tone for Kingland-Hanson’s address, one that included a letter written to John Mellencamp, two pieces of music and an interactive activity with the students. Amid all the laughs was an emotional message of appreciation for the seniors and all students who helped make her career at H-D-CAL unforgettable. Evoking Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech, Kingland-Hanson said she feels similarly to Gehrig knowing she spent her career in a place she loves with people she loves.

“I think it’s me that has been the luckiest teacher on the face of this planet,” she said. “Where else could people throw you surprise birthday parties and where else do people watch you cry, where else do you get to teach with your daughter and have special friends and where else do students write you letters?”

I think you need to hear how thankful I am for you,” she added. “I’m the luckiest teacher.”

Kingland-Hanson ended by encouraging the seniors to always believe in themselves and never forget one another. “Memories are forever and you are forever in my heart and in my soul and in my mind and nobody can take that away,” she said. “You are special, Class of 2020. You are special for so many reasons.”