Personally, I was at a loss for words when I heard that not only my fellow seniors, but some of my closest friends and classmates are not having a physical graduation.
As someone who is basically at the beginning of their senior year, I am already looking forward to graduation because it holds a deeper meaning than “graduation.” It really is a new beginning. The start of a new life. Adulthood.
From the standpoint of a person who was shy going into high school, the individuals from this class were very welcoming and helped myself and many others get used to the new environment. The kind and welcoming character traits these individuals portray really do deserve a proper farewell.
The class of 2020 has worked so hard across the board academically and athletically.
I could go on forever naming the individuals who have created names for themselves through academics and sports that will go down in Cape’s history. Most importantly, this class has changed the school for everyone in the Cape community.
During this past year, at any event from football games to events outside of Cape, this class has bled blue and gold no matter the occasion. I feel that they have brought the most school spirit ever since I have been in high school. This makes me contemplate the amazing accomplishments these seniors will achieve as they carry on and approach their bright futures.
Without a doubt, many individuals including myself believe that each and every one of these seniors will strive to help change and improve the world, whether it is working in the medical field, being an educator, lawyer, parent, or working in the military forces. With this belief, my only responsibility during this quarantine is to push for the proper graduation that these students ultimately deserve. I will do anything I can to get the class of 2020 a genuine graduation.
A virtual graduation does not suffice or come close to the traditional graduation at any level.
Technologically, it is very problematic, but most importantly it does not give a proper “goodbye” to the class that marks the end of a decade at Cape. It would mean everything to not only these seniors, but to the entirety of the Cape community if you would consider a graduation when it is safe to do so rather than the current virtual one that was recently organized. This decision should be up to the seniors themselves. (Personally, I propose a live graduation later this summer with the social distancing regulations if needed at the time).
When considering my proposal, remember that graduation is one of the most fundamental stepping stones in preparation for one’s future because they not only accomplish high school, but gain the mentality that they are ready to be independent, start a new life, pursue a career, and find love.
Graduation is not a regimented event. It is a personal celebration of their hard work and various achievements with their friends and family. Everything that is incorporated with graduation has a sentimental value to it. Without such a graduation, it truly does leave a hole in guiding our future community to a new start. They have worked far too hard for their high school career to end in such an unprecedented way.
Please put yourself in their shoes when considering my proposal.
For the Class of 2020,
Daniel Adili-Khams
Cape Henlopen High School student
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