After a long school year filled with change and confusion, Deer Park High School’s dream of a single graduation ceremony with the entire Class of 2021 became a happy reality on June 24. Led by the Roisin Dubh Pipe Band, the seniors filed on to the football field under beautifully sunny skies to begin the school’s 58th commencement.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Student Council President Esteysy Yanes Amaya, Senior Class President Taylor Korsiak reflected on the uncertainty the seniors experienced due to the last year’s COVID pandemic.
“The most important thing to note is that we managed to continue on the path life gave us,” Korsiak said. “Each and every one of you should be extremely proud of yourself for completing your education during this pandemic. Take the drive and ambition that you maintained this year with you throughout all of life's hardships. And most importantly, remember to take it just one moment at a time. Falcons, I am certain you can and will get through whatever life throws at you. We sure managed to do so this year.”
“This evening, we are doing something felt to be impossible a year ago,” said salutatorian Matthew Heinen. “We are returning to normal life and celebrating a normal graduation. Throughout all the dark times we have all faced, we have not let them stop us. It would have been easy to accept the circumstances we are in, but we always tried to make the best of it. Whether it be in school and learning while sitting behind the screen, performing our daily lives while wearing a mask or just staying at home in order to prevent the spread of the virus, we have always adapted. And that brings us to today: All of us together, some of us maskless, seeing the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Over these past 15 months, I believe that there have been three overarching traits that we’ve all possessed during this pandemic: accountability, versatility and compassion. If we continue to possess these traits in our future lives, I believe that we will all be successful no matter the path we take.”
In her address, valedictorian Jasleen Kaur extolled the power and value of curiosity and vulnerability.
“Be curious,” Kaur told her fellow graduates. “Never stop questioning the world around you. Curiosity is the catalyst of change. It is the act of constantly contemplating the structures and fabric of our reality that sparks something beautiful in all of us: awareness of the wonders of this world and the hardships that plague it. Vulnerability is having the courage to make the bold sacrifices and choices that open one’s heart to pain, only in the hopes of breeding, love, innovation and change. It is that childish optimism, inquisitiveness, empathy and resilience that connects you with the person on your right, that unlocks the possibility of a better future. So, remember: Be curious, be wrong, be vulnerable.”
Superintendent James Cummings touched on all that was lost and sacrificed during the prior 15 months before accentuating the many positives of the day.
“Despite what we’ve all lost and missed out on, we managed to persevere,” Cummings said. “And here we are, all together, with a chance to give our graduates a proper send-off. I look around and I’m proud of our graduates. I’m proud of our faculty. I'm proud of our families and I’m proud of our community. I’m proud of all that we managed to accomplish over the last year. I’m proud of getting to this moment. So, while this day is certainly focused on our graduates, I also see it as a very symbolic day for our whole school and community. I think that the weather, the fact that we’re all together, the timing of this event, all signify the potential to potentially return to normalcy, whatever that may be.”
“As we move on tonight, there are many lessons that you can take from your high school experience,” Principal Charles Cobb told his seniors. “One trait that I hope all of you take with you is your ability to continue to persevere through whatever challenges and obstacles that you may encounter. The senior Class of 2021 has persevered like no other. Your unrelenting quest to have all your high school experiences, although slightly modified at times, has defined you all as individuals that will not allow failure to happen. I encourage you to keep pushing to pursue all of your goals and ambitions. You all have the potential to leave an indelible mark on this world.”
After the diplomas were conferred, tassels turned and caps tossed, the new graduates walked out of the stadium as proud Falcons alumni, ready for their next challenge.