BHS graduation — a return to normal

Large crowd fills Victory Field bleachers for commencement

By Josh Bickford
Posted 6/14/21

It was a special afternoon at Barrington High School.

On Sunday, June 13, the Class of 2021 gathered at Victory Field to celebrate its graduation.  

And in the bleachers, hundreds of …

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BHS graduation — a return to normal

Large crowd fills Victory Field bleachers for commencement

Posted

It was a special afternoon at Barrington High School.

On Sunday, June 13, the Class of 2021 gathered at Victory Field to celebrate its graduation. 

And in the bleachers, hundreds of people sat and cheered. They took photos and waved to their children; basking in what seemed like a very normal commencement. 

But the magic of the day was not lost on Joe Hurley.

The Barrington High School principal reveled in the opportunity to hold an in-person graduation, open to hundreds of families. 

“It is so wonderful to see everyone here today … in person!” Mr. Hurley said, adding how pleased he was that the three-foot social distancing requirement had been lifted just in time for the event. 

The in-person graduation capped a special week and a half for the Class of 2021 — a fun final day of classes, an outdoor movie night, a car parade, a senior prom held on the grounds of the school, a fun After Prom event, and a special Friendship Service on Victory Field on Saturday.

The memorable events were all in-person.

That is a shift from what become routine at Barrington High School and most other schools across the country. Mr. Hurley recalled school life during the pandemic — students and teachers “zooming,” being told to mute or unmute, students collaborating in virtual breakout rooms, teachers navigating the hybrid model.

He said that as Covid restrictions began to lift and vaccination rates increased, he saw the “best sight of all”: “Our hallways, classrooms and cafeteria began to fill as many of you, our seniors, began to return to in-person learning.”

Mr. Hurley also spoke about the lessons learned from Covid. He said members of the senior class shared some very interesting thoughts.

“They talked about not taking the small things for granted,” he said, adding that they also liked the practice of going outside and, unsurprisingly, the elimination of mid-terms and finals.

“But I have to say my favorite comment … was the following ‘People can stop bragging about living through the Blizzard of ’78… 2020 wins.’”

Mr. Hurley also took time to thank the many people who helped make the end of the year a memorable one for the senior class. 

The BHS principal finished his speech by quoting a James Taylor song, “Isn’t it a lovely ride, Sliding down, Gliding down, Trying not to try too hard, It’s just a lovely ride.”

Large crowd

The crowd for this year’s graduation began to arrive early, and before long the bleachers at Victory Field were filled. Masks were replaced with sunglasses, social distancing traded in for hugs and handshakes.

Just across the track, sat this year’s graduates — row after row of BHS seniors, each wearing a royal blue cap and gown. 

Owen Crain, president of the senior class, welcomed everyone to the commencement and shared his excitement for the very special day.

“Words cannot fully express just how fantastic it is to see everyone in person once again,” he said. “What a great feeling.”

Owen said the opportunity to hold an in-person graduation — the final milestone for this year’s seniors — helped to unify the class one last time.

He said the pandemic taught the Class of 2021 how to be resilient and flexible, how to adapt. He also said it helped him reflect on his community — not just his friends, but other people he came to know at the school and around town. 

“Covid made me realize that community is something that extends far beyond the people I know by name,” he said. “It is greater than the sum of its parts, and has a far greater reach than I previously understood.”

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