Hornell Class of 2021 looks toward bright future

HHS will send seniors with an inauguration ceremony in 2021

HORNELL – Hornell High School took the time to examine the past, present, and hopeful future as it honored 110 graduates during the 2021 annual opening ceremony at Maple City Park on Friday night.

Recognizing the strange circumstances of the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each speaker looked to a brighter future and shed light on their own experiences at HHS to give all graduates a full insight into life in the halls of Hornell and outside in the rest of the world.

110 students took to the stage to receive their diplomas and a staggering $ 216,000 was awarded in scholarships to the completed class of 2021.

The ceremonies began with a brief introduction from Class President Gemma Hoyt, who highlighted some of the things this particular class had to grapple with over the past year. She mentioned how many people at school were affected by the pandemic, including seven members of the band, 24 members of the choir and 43 members of sports teams, all of whom saw drastically different circumstances to perform their favorite pastimes. But for all that, the 2021 class held out and achieved great things that Hoyt said she was proud to have been a part of.

Salutatorian Carter Browne then took the stage to discuss the idea of ​​beginnings and ends. She explained that while graduation is the end of a chapter, it is also the beginning of another equally exciting chapter in life. And that when everyone leaves HHS forever, they leave with the hope that this new beginning will bring even more than what ends.

“As we leave today with good or bad memories, we leave with the hope for more. Whether in high school, in vocational school, in military service or in professional life, the decision to hope and strive more was made … For six years we came willingly or sometimes reluctantly into the house, but what We often do not remember what the teacher pays for to teach us. As I express my gratitude to my classmates and those who taught me, I thank them for it. The life lessons they passed that they weren’t paid for. The personality they gave their classes brought a certain joy to their subjects, ”said Browne. “This fall, each of us will start to go our separate ways. Despite the daunting deadline approaching most of us, the inevitable future of leaving everything familiar in this city, I think it would be good to remind yourself that the end and the beginning are almost the same. Because how can something end without a new beginning following? And how can something new begin without a previous ending? Every fresh start requires an ending, and graduation is simply an ending that we all face together. As Shakespeare once wrote, the past is a prologue. “

After Browne, HHS Principal Scott Carroll gave a brief speech on the circumstances of 2021, both apologizing to the students for what they had to endure and thanking them for their best efforts during such a difficult time. Carroll compared the 2021 school year to a monopoly game, but instead of being able to quit the game as usual, it was interrupted by a devastating event that wiped all pieces off the board.

“In trying to come up with an analogy that would put the pandemic year in perspective, the best I could think of was a monopoly game. Sitting together with friends and family, piling up property, trying to get the most money out of the rent, taking advantage of the communal chest and cards of chance, stop by and get $ 200. Life is good. But then suddenly there was an earthquake. The board goes everywhere, money flies, pieces are everywhere and the board is messed up. The winners scream, ‘Oh no!’ while those who are nearly bankrupt let out a big sigh of relief thinking that when things have settled down and it is safe to restart the game. And that happened when the pandemic struck. It really sums up the last year and a half. Some thought we could carry on as usual, but things didn’t calm down. Others just breathe a sigh of relief that the school year is over, they graduated, and their bright future lies ahead, ”said Carroll. “I thank each of you for your flexibility, your courage, your perseverance and your willingness to adapt. I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors. “

Carroll then introduced the guest speaker, the distinguished Admiral William M. Burke, who himself graduated from Hornell High School 47 years ago. Burke took the podium and spent his short time offering high school students a few universal lessons he had learned since his time at Hornell. These lessons included things like work ethic, continued study, travel, possessions don’t matter, choosing friends wisely, staying healthy, and thanking those who helped along the way.

But there were also two more lessons with a small final homework for the 2021 class.

“Be part of something bigger than yourself. Donate your time or energy to a good cause. On this last day of school, my job for you is to do something greater than yourself. Do not hesitate. You will be better for it, and so will your community. Democracy is precious so choose. For all its flaws, the United States remains the greatest nation in the world. Today you and your generation take your place among US citizens who continue to make America a better place. I encourage you to find out more about the issues and to participate in our democracy. The right to vote is more than a civic duty, it should be valued. My second job for you is registration and voting, ”said Burke. “The last two years have been tough as discussed. You missed activities, sporting events, and friends. However, you have learned resilience and endurance how to roll with the punches. You learned how to get up after being knocked down. You have learned to adjust to failure or disappointment. These lessons will serve you well in your life. “

After Burke’s wise advice on life, the farewell speaker Alex Diehl approached the podium and took a closer look at his time in Hornell. Instead of looking forward to his own future, he examined his past and tried to influence it by making a few suggestions on how life at Hornell High School could be even better.

“Most graduation speeches look ahead, romanticize the future, and dream of what lies ahead. Instead, I look back and reflect on my experiences at HHS. I remember walking into this building six years ago thinking of the new freedoms and responsibilities that would come with it. The responsibilities increased, but the freedom I expected did not. That year I had a fifth class where my friends and I played Mario Kart, complaining about life, and even planning our own response to a school threat. That time gave us the greatest freedom we had ever felt in school. With the position I have on the podium, I would like to make a suggestion. I believe Hornell High School should have an open campus policy. Students should not be forced to sit in classrooms. Nobody does their work during these times anyway, and lunch shouldn’t be confined to the canteen. If students were instead allowed to go home, roam the hallways, or just relax outside, I think they’d be much happier and less stressed. In addition, I believe that the passport should be changed. Not every student should be expected to meet an average of over 90, and punishing those students who don’t is not fair to them. Instead, the pass of honor could be based on attendance and completion. If you show up for class, make an effort, and finish your thesis, you will not be penalized for not being able to get high grades. I have a few other problems, but these are insignificant compared to what I said earlier. Overall, the school has good ideas, but only needs the time and opportunity to develop them, ”says Diehl.

The farewell speaker also sought the advice of teachers in finding ways to improve the school, admitting that his own opinions were biased by his experiences as a student. From his discussions with teachers, Diehl made two concrete suggestions: better remuneration for teachers and more opportunities for students to discover their own interests.

“Coaches and out-of-school counselors have expectations and responsibilities that far outweigh the financial return. And almost every email I got from a teacher described in some way the time and effort that was spent outside of school to ensure that their students had the best possible experience, ”Diehl said. “The second major problem teachers face is the lack of opportunities for students. Social events, excursions, AP lab times and elective courses were reduced or eliminated even before the pandemic. This, in turn, decreases a student’s attachment to HHS, making it more difficult for them to learn. With less world contact and fewer opportunities to explore ideas, students are limited in their options after high school. From my own experience, I know that electives such as coding and forensics introduced me to topics that I would otherwise not have taken into account. And I think that students should have the opportunity to explore their interests. “

At the end of the speeches, all the scholarships were officially awarded, totaling more than a quarter of a million dollars. Then each student went across the field and received their diploma to officially become Hornell High School alumni.

Graduates then twisted their tassels and left Maple City Park for the last time as a Hornell High School student, entering a new world full of exciting opportunities shaped by their past, present and hopeful future.

source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/hornell-class-of-2021-looks-toward-bright-future/