Dear Class of 2020,

Dear Class of 2020,

Congratulations on making it to the finish line and on your achievement. The very fact that you have completed all or part of your educational journey is a tremendous milestone, and you should be incredibly proud. It’s not easy, and you’ve done it.

I know that this is not what you or your families anticipated to mark this occasion. Several weeks ago a pandemic took the world by surprise, and with it lives were lost, jobs and businesses vanished, and life as we knew it was turned upside down. Graduates, you have worked hard, and when it came to the very moment when the celebrations were to begin, the rug was pulled out from under you.

Every single one of us has been impacted by this, and some more than others. But, I want to acknowledge how it has impacted you and this important milestone.

After the initial dust settled, we were all given a list of things to do that, when done collectively and successfully would allow us to resume some version of our lives as quickly as possible. Your graduation celebrations were part of this. If we all worked together and focused on doing the things on that list- no matter how hard or inconvenient- you would be able to enjoy some version of a celebration of your hard work with your family and friends.

Some worked very hard and were very diligent. Many were not, and for that I am sorry. We adults are arguing over this, and I suspect we will continue to do so for some time.

I have been asked how it’s okay for your graduating class to be told that your prom, senior banquets, senior trips, parties, time with friends, activities, and graduations have been canceled to abide by the requirements on that list when you’re watching some of the adults around you enjoy BBQs with friends and extended families, groups enjoying the trails, and parties of their own. I don’t have an answer for you. The best response I can muster is “I’m so sorry” and I know how weak that sounds.

Those of you graduating high school were born into 9/11 and those of you graduating from college spent your formative years with families grappling with its aftermath. Because of this, you are resilient and you are strong.

I have been so impressed by the graduates that I have had the privilege of getting to know. Time spent with you has been a gift. Your class has tremendous integrity and a realistic outlook on life and those around you that impresses me daily. Your moral principles have been shaped by a world that has been chaotic, confusing, and unpredictable. That integrity will carry you far. I hope that each of you will be a model of character that many adults could learn from and that you will look to the adults around you who are trying to do the right thing with eyes of gratitude. There are lessons for you in this; some are obvious, some are confusing, and others will be painful. All are valuable.

Congratulations. I am so very proud of you.