Commencement during COVID-19: Chelsea, Oak Mountain seniors mark graduations together after gathering restrictions lifted

The class of 2020 could have never expected the way its senior year would end. The last nine weeks of school were done from home, with no prom, spring sports or other special events. Students were unable to even spend time with their classmates.

All thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One event that was able to be salvaged for their senior year was their graduation ceremony. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey lifted restrictions near the end of May to allow the events to take place.

Oak Mountain had its graduation June 1, followed by Chelsea on June 2. Spain Park’s ceremony was May 20, and Briarwood Christian’s graduation is scheduled for July 19.

The principals and staff had to work quickly to get everything ready, and measures were put in place to maintain proper social distancing. Tickets were limited to four per family, but both graduations were livestreamed so others could watch.

OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

Oak Mountain High School held its graduation June 1 at Heardmont Park, where 324 seniors received their diplomas.

John Milton is a faculty member at OMHS who teaches TV production and AP macroeconomics and he’s also a senior class sponsor and works with the SGA. He said this group of seniors is extremely resilient — academically, athletically and in extracurricular activities.

“I don’t think any of us were surprised as faculty members that the students handled things as well as they did,” Milton said. “They took everything in stride. I know they were disappointed about things not getting to do ... no prom, senior banquet, awards night, spring sports seasons. But they made the best of it.”

Milton said the senior class was very excited to be able to have graduation, and many people pulled together to make it happen. Many teachers even showed up to help with preparations.

“Like every other senior class across the country, they had to go through this crazy unprecedented event that seems to never end,” Milton said. “They handled it with such poise and a lot of humility. There really was a tremendous amount of understanding on their part about the situation. Everybody so much felt for these seniors and wanted them to have one senior experience.”

Principal Dr. Kristi Sayers welcomed everyone to the event, followed by valedictorian addresses from Matthew Bray and Elizabeth Camp, and a salutatorian address by Eugene Lee.

Senior class President Hannah Kelly announced the presentation of the Eagles’ Class of 2020 before the diplomas were handed out.

Dr. Sayers recognized the honor graduates, who were in the top 5% of the class and had a cumulative GPA of 4.0, saying it was an absolute joy being with this class for the last four years.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that each of you will go on and do amazing things,” she said. “I thank you for the time I had with you. It was all my pleasure.”

Some statistics for the OMHS Class of 2020:

► 2% of students in this class will join the military.

► 5% will enter the workforce or take a gap year.

► 93% will be attending two- or four-year colleges or universities.

► 58 students scored 30 or above on the ACT. Four had a perfect store of 36.

► As of the May 20 deadline, the Class of 2020 had been offered scholarships in the amount of $9,170,108.

Dr. Sayers’ last words to the graduates were to “go and do great things.”

CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL

Chelsea High School held its graduation at the school’s football stadium June 2.

Principal Brandon Turner said when Gov. Ivey lifted restrictions May 22, they were able to come to a collective agreement as principals in Shelby County and worked collaboratively as a group with district leadership to come up with a plan. While it would be a little different at every school, they could be consistent with what they were doing.

“It’s been all along making tentative plans until we could land on something concrete,” Turner said. “We had about two weeks to get everything mobilized and to make sure we had the football field ready, setting up a stage and chairs, and figuring out how to keep the graduates socially distanced.”

Due to social distancing restrictions, things were a bit different, but the seniors were able to have a mostly traditional ceremony nonetheless.

Senior class President Elliot Gage said the class was happy to have the opportunity to celebrate this moment in their lives.

“If I’ve learned anything, I’m incredibly blessed to have grownup with this remarkable group of people,” he said. “I will always remember our times here at Chelsea.”

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer addressed the graduates and thanked Turner for working so diligently to make the event possible. He offered his congratulations to the graduates for a job well done, as they prepare themselves to step on to the next platform of their lives.

“This is not a pinnacle,” he said. “You haven’t reached the top of the mountain, but rather you have now just earned the opportunity to begin to climb and have the opportunity to take yourself wherever you choose to go. I look forward to the successes you will experience and hope you will look back on this moment with pride, realizing what you’ve accomplished during the most difficult of times.”

Turner thanked the unsung heroes for helping put this night together and making Chelsea High School a great place to be throughout the year.

“From the faculty and staff, board of education members and the central office, from the top down, these people do a phenomenal job,” Turner said.

Salutatorian Andrew Messier told his classmates that in this time of uncertainty, their graduation day was one of celebration of their hard work and perseverance. Valedictorian Yesenia Villanueva-Navarro said that though things may not always go the way they want them to, be willing to adapt.

“I hope COVID-19 has taught us all what is truly important,” she said. “I commend you for getting through this. With our perseverance and resilience, nothing can hold us back. I don’t know what the future holds, but know we will get through it together.”

Assistant Principal LaTasha McMillian announced the graduates while Turner handed out the diplomas to approximately 300 seniors.

“The graduation experience of walking is really important, and I’ve always viewed that as something very important to cherish and take seriously,” Turner said. “I’m very glad it worked out to provide a traditional ceremony with their classmates and for them to have that experience.”