BY MATT McCLELLAND
Class Intellect. Most Athletic. Best Hair. Class Flirt. Chances are, you remember some of your own senior class mock election results. If the graduating classes from Trenton High School got together and voted among themselves, it seems probable that the Class of 2020 would win “Most Unique.”
Forget debating if graduation should be held in the gym or on the football field. How about having a virtual event that you attended from the comfort of your own living room? Not enough tradition for you? They also had a drive-up graduation ceremony, complete with the voice of Trojan athletics, Mark Revesz, announcing each graduate. These are two of the many ways that this year’s seniors are truly in a class of their own.
The celebrations started with the lighting of the scoreboard at Farrer Field. From May 5-12, at 8 p.m. (20:00 military time), the score read 20-20 while the clock ticked up to 20:20. The students were encouraged to gather in the adjacent parking lots and enjoy the spectacle from their own vehicles. The football field P.A. system played music including their class song, My Wish, by Rascal Flatts. Thank you to Athletic Director James Trush for making this happen.
Fast forward just over a week and what was to have been the final day of class was celebrated, not with a Walk of Pride, but with a “Slow Roll.” The seniors took to the streets on May 21 in vehicles decorated with Trojan blue and gold, and got to see their teachers one more time. TPS staff members were invited to line up along Charlton to enjoy the moment. Music was provided by Mr. Kurilko, and staff from all four TPS schools joined in to see their students drive by. There were plenty of laughs, a few tears, and a cacophony of horns blaring. In true cruising fashion, many of the students looped around multiple times, soaking in the moment.
One of the newer traditions at THS is to have a “Night of the Stars.” It is normally an evening of formal wear and laughs, as the students don their best and assemble to learn the results of the mock election. The winners take to the stage, receive their trophy, and give a short acceptance speech. This year, thanks to hours of work by the THS Digital Media Club, April Lopez, Jessica Roberts, Lori Holcomb, Susanna Poma and Mark Revesz, the virtual event went off flawlessly with great panache. It premiered on YouTube and is available for your viewing pleasure by following this link: https://youtu.be/z-kO9SslXd0.
The very next day, May 22, the city got in on the fun. Kudos to Mayor Steven Rzeppa for suggesting that the seniors be honored by having their names displayed on the Kennedy Recreation Center marquee as well as the Trenton cable channel. The list of names looped repeatedly, offering the seniors a creative photo op in front of the city sign.
On June 4, what would have been the graduation rehearsal was instead a second parade. Thank you to the Trenton Fire Department for leading the procession with a bright red truck and lots of noise. Many thanks as well to the Trenton Police Department, Rick Tanguay, Lori Holcomb, and Peter Youngblood for helping to make this event special. This time around, the parents were encouraged to line the parade route and cheer on the soon to be graduates. Cars were decorated with future plans in mind, whether college, military or career minded. The seniors wore their graduation cap and tassel and added to the unique collection of memories that will forever be linked to 2020.
The buildup continued with another professionally created digital celebration. At 7 p.m. on June 5, THS aired their first ever virtual commencement on YouTube. Hats off again to the THS Digital Media Team, April Lopez, Jessica Roberts, and the mellifluous narration of Mark Revesz. See related article for more details on how the video was created. This video can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bmk-rjzEQo.
The ceremony included student speeches from Senior Class President Jocelyn Beuther, Valedictorian Nicolas Medel, Alexa Francis and top 10 graduate Sophie Collins. Superintendent Rod Wakeham and THS Principal Ron Diroff also each spoke to the students, highlighting just how unique this experience has been and how strong it will make them in the long run. As Pomp and Circumstance played, each student’s name was read, accompanied by their photo, as well as details of what they plan to do after high school. Included in the list are future musicians, beauticians, welders, doctors, electricians, nurses, teachers, engineers, military men and women and so many more. The Class of 2020 is a diverse group of individuals that have shared a common experience that will forever link them.
In a final honoring of the Class of 2020, they were offered a unique graduation ceremony. A formal stage was set up outside of the THS auditorium, and each student had the opportunity to walk across the platform, diploma in hand, while their name was read over the speaker. While not surrounded by classmates, each graduate was accompanied by their family and friends who were able to stand directly in front of the dais and record perfect video and photos. This personal touch with family truly made the ceremony special. The 205 families who took advantage of this opportunity were not rushed, but were encouraged to take as many photos as they desired. This event was five hours for each of the four days, and the staff members willingly and joyfully took part in this 20 hour event to celebrate 2020.
“THS Administration would like to thank school board members: Kellee Howey and Heather Lear for participating in our ceremonies this week,” said Principal Ron Diroff. “Also a big thanks to: Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Gray, Mr. Clements, Mr. Youngblood, Mr. Revesz, Mr. Trush, Mrs. Witt, Mrs. Heinz, Mrs. Matusik, Mrs. Burk, Nurse Kathy, Lori Holcomb, and THS Maintenance and Grounds Crew, for making this four-day event happen for our THS seniors. Also, thanks to Mr. Wakeham and the Board of Education for supporting our Graduation Celebration Plans.”
To see photos of these events, links to the videos, and many more keepsakes, visit https://sites.google.com/view/thsclassof2020/keep-in-touch. This page of memories was lovingly assembled by THS teacher Lori Simmons, whose son Bradley (THS ’20) just joined her as an alum.
To the Class of 2020: Congratulations on your graduation and your “Most Unique” designation. Now go out there and make us proud!