The Blanco High School 2020 graduation ceremony was unlike any other.
First of all, it almost didn’t happen. When the first COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in March and schools were shuttered, one of the first questions was, what about graduation? BISD officials began working on COVID-19 compliant graduation contingency plans, and in early May the decision was made to hold an in-person ceremony in Panther Stadium, with certain guidelines.
Graduates were limited to five ticketed guests, all guests were screened as they entered the stadium, social distancing was observed, and masks were provided. The weather was beautiful and delightfully un-summerlike for central Texas, and the athletic boosters distributed chilled waters, which made guests feel even better.
Unlike past graduation ceremonies the seating areas were uncrowded, and there was no struggle to find parking. The guests were all extremely courteous, and as longtime BHS secretary Lisa Petri observed, “Everyone is so calm.” The pervading atmosphere was one of joy, expectation and thankfulness.
The graduation candidates entered the field from the customary rear west entrance, and the stage area faced west and was situated at the west end of the field. Pandemic restrictions were easily observable with the graduates seated for social distancing, and the Panther Band was not on hand to play ‘Pomp and Circumstance.’ BHS Principal Keitha St. Clair reminded everyone that the 2020 seniors had no opportunity to rehearse for graduation and instead were, “Bravely winging it.”
Opening
Malinda Campbell opened the ceremony with the pledge of allegiance and prayer. She thanked all those who had helped them, including their teachers, family, friends, the community, and asked for protection for all affected by COVID-19, and for guidance for the Class of 2020.
As St. Clair led the ceremony and presented the awards, she thanked the families who had supported the graduates, the BISD school board, senior class sponsors, BHS administration team, faculty and staff, and Blanco Floral and Gift Shop for the beautiful flowers for the ceremony.
St. Clair expressed her sincere thanks and congratulations to Austin Van Pelt in recognition of his service to his country in the Air Force. Also recognized was Carlie Waxler for achieving perfect attendance from kindergarten through her senior year. St. Clair said, “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has pulled this off. Every employer out there needs to write down her name because she won’t miss work.”
Valedictorian
Mitchell Walker Barnett was introduced by St. Clair as the highest ranking graduate of the BHS Class of 2020. He graduated with a GPA of 102.1 and maintained the top spot throughout high school. During high school he served the Panther Band as drum major for three years. In addition to the Panther Band, Mitchell’s activities included: UIL, tennis, NHS president, student council vice president, AAVTC Crew, Cyber Patriots and Newspaper Club, as well as many community service activities.
Barnett earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14. Future plans include majoring in engineering with interest in computer engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station. He hopes to one day use his education in the medical field to help develop technology that can be used to diagnose and treat patients.
In his valedictory address, Mitchell recapped the experiences the class shared during their four years of high school, and said that as his senior year began he was determined not to waste any precious time with his classmates. According to Mitchell, “The beginning of the year started out really well, and then came the pandemic. All of those missed experiences can never be made up, and that really stinks.”
No one knew going in that the Class of 2020’s senior year would end the way it did.
“We’ve all experienced losses this year, and this has happened to me a lot,” he said. “Besides the ending to my senior year there was the loss of my Mom, and although the two experiences are very different they have taught me about the importance of gratitude and of making the most of my time.”
Barnett urged his classmates to let past experiences to help them grow.
“We can’t change the past no matter how much we may want to, and that’s okay because the past is there for a reason. The end is up to you,” he said. “Will you use past experiences to grow stronger and move forward? My hope is that each of us will use this challenging experience to learn and grow from. No matter what the future holds for you, make sure you take the time to appreciate life and be grateful in everything you do. You are all strong and brilliant people who have made it this far, and I wish you all the best of luck in the next chapter of your lives.”
Salutatorian
As St. Clair introduced salutatorian Lynette Aelvoet she said, “Lynette came to BHS during her junior year and was immediately welcomed when she arrived and has had a very positive impact on our students. She has been involved in many activities, including: Volleyball, basketball, track and field, cheer, NHS, Student Council, FFA, 4-H, and has participated in many community service activities.”
Aelvoet will attend Texas A&M University in College Station next fall. She plans to major in animal science and wants to become a veterinarian. Aelvoet’s salutatorian status is also part of family lore, as both her mother and sister were salutatorians at their respective high schools.
In her salutatorian address, Aelvoet reminded everyone not to rush through to put this year behind them. “Our hearts are heavy that so many of our experiences this year were cut short and we must look back on our experiences, because these events have forever shaped us,” she said. “We all lost out on these missed experiences, and so did our teachers, administration, families and our community.
“We should not dwell on these losses because we will adapt and adjust as we carry on with joyful and hopeful hearts and say goodbye to those who live within us forever.”
Lynette likened her classmates to wild Mustangs as they seek to begin their new adventures.
Featured speaker
After sharing the class history, BHS Counselor Deanna McClendon introduced the class selected graduation speaker, their principal. St. Clair began by congratulating the graduates, “You made it. Not even a global pandemic can keep the Class of 2020 down.”
She recapped memories from her first year as their sixth grade principal. “I was a brand new principal and you were brand new middle schoolers and we sure were excited about all of the potential together.” St. Clair soon learned that the class was a very special group of equal parts of energy and curiosity. “I loved having fun with each of you and you’ve always been so protective of each other.”
St. Clair thanked the class for asking her to speak to them one last time, and for being so delightful, polite, kind hearted, fun, leading by example, and asking for help for those who could not ask for it. “Thank you for giving me 72 wonderful reasons to come to work each day for so many beautiful years.”
She concluded by sharing three suggestions for the class to take with them from the last lesson that she would have the pleasure of preparing for them. “The first is to always keep moving forward as you follow your dreams. Don’t allow yourselves to ever give up because the real reward is in the journey itself, and you are strong enough to do this.”
The second point from St. Clair was to make a pearl out of hardships. She said, “Pearls are made from irritants as the oyster begins to form layers of soft coating around the granule and over time there is a beautiful pearl. If you want to be happy in life be like the oyster by letting the things that stretch you become your pearls. Our lives are transformed when we see our obstacles as opportunities. Speak positively to yourself and make a plan, stick with it layer by layer, so that those uncomfortable irritants become something valuable…make a pearl out of it.”
The last thing St. Clair shared was the importance of a work ethic, gratitude, and humility as she told the graduates, “All cultures value hard work, and developing an attitude of gratitude adds happiness to your life. Be grateful, be humble, and do not allow your ego to stop you. You can learn so much from those around you who love and support you.”
St. Clair concluded with, “Following these traits will open doors for you to live your dreams…it’s as easy as 1-2-3. I am so proud of you, and all the beautiful memories shared with you will last me my whole entire lifetime…I love you.”
Diplomas
After St. Clair certified that all members of the class had met all graduation requirements, BISD Superintendent Clay Rosenbaum, school board president Kirk Felps and McClendon came forward for the presentation of diplomas. In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines the students were not handed their diplomas but instead picked them up from a table before their graduation photos were taken. After the diplomas were presented the graduates were instructed to move their tassels from right to left.
Closing
Kate Rogers was ranked third in the class and gave the closing remarks. She reminded her classmates that while graduation is the ending of a season, the Class of 2020 is unique. “This is a gift that we did not ask for and did not want but we should be thankful to have received anyway. This gift is hope for when the world does not go according to plan. You have faced these times with heads held high, because if we’re able to be here tonight, graduating during a global pandemic, what can’t we do? New seasons are just beginning, so remember your strength, spirit, and hope.”
The graduates enjoyed their school song together one last time, and with masks on, tossed their caps as they were presented as graduates amid thunderous applause and congratulatory cheers before they exited the field.
In compliance with state requirements, the students and families were not allowed on the field after graduation, school facilities were not open for graduates to change clothes for their Project Graduation event, and school buses were not available to transport them to Project Graduation at Pedrotti’s Ranch in Helotes. Instead, the graduates made do by wearing their event clothes underneath their graduation gowns, the graduates and their families hugged and took pictures in the parking area outside the stadium, and a charter bus took the graduates to Project Graduation.
As the 2020 BHS graduation ceremony ended, those in attendance were left not with a sense of regret for what might have, been but instead with a sense of gratitude for what was. The Class of 2020 was able to graduate in Panther Stadium with their closest friends and family there to support them, and the graduates were honored as they celebrated and bid a fond farewell to their much loved principal of seven years.
The ceremony marked a major and hard won milestone as the Class of 2020, the class that not even a global pandemic could stop, completed their journey from high school to adulthood.
