WACO graduates 26 in Saturday ceremony

WAYLAND — If it was going to rain on anyone’s graduation ceremony, it would be the Class of 2021.

This is the class that got sent home in March 2020 and did not come back to school until August. When they returned, they were wearing masks, socially distancing and trying to keep from getting COVID-19.

When one of their classmates would get sick, others would have to go into quarantine for up to two weeks. Often classes were held virtually online.

Games were canceled on short notice. The Class of 2021’s senior year was anything but normal.

So when the skies began spitting rain and splotches of wetness showed up on baby blue graduation gowns Saturday, most knew it would only minutes until the skies opened and the class would get drenched.

Yet as senior Kaylee Shelman sang “For Good” with the high school choir, the rain stopped and the 26 graduates paraded across the stage Saturday to get their diplomas without getting wet. The sun even peeked out from the clouds a couple of times.

Many of the messages delivered by speakers during the ceremony paid tribute to the class’s perseverance.

Shelman, who gave the class speech, told the seniors that they would be remembered for their relationships and their ability to adapt to many changes.

“Going into this school year, there was a lot of uncertainty,” Shelman said. “No one was sure what the school year would look like, or if we would make it through the year.

“Some may look at this situation we were put in as unfortunate. … We have had to learn to roll with the punches, adjust … and make the best out of any given situation.”

As classmates head onto new challenges, Shelman encouraged them to embrace change.

The ceremony culminated with a slideshow and fireworks. An exclamation point on this classes unusual school year.

Principal Tim Bartels noted what the class went through.

“You chose not to be defined by your circumstances, instead by your determination, character and integrity and your selfless positive attitude … We are a better school because you were here,“ Bartels said.

Keynote speaker Greg Schmida also noted the challenges of the past year and a half.

“Your odyssey has been the 13 years you have been in school — classrooms, your teachers, your classmates — from kindergarten on.”

He offered some words of wisdom: “Appreciate what you have. Be generous with it. Honor those around you. Pay attention to your life and the planet. Be kind. Put yourself in others shoes, and maybe the last one won’t be so hard.”

He noted the character traits of the Class of 2021.

“Students are respectful. They are honest and dependable. They are hardworking. They don’t quit.”

“That will take you guys further down the road.“

Alumni Ted Roth was honored as a distinguished graduate who was inducted into the WACO Foundation Wall of Fame. Roth is president of a capital investing firm in San Diego, Calif.

Roth’s speech was cut short by the threat of rain as the skies began spitting raindrops.

He delivered a message in the few minutes he talked by “cutting to the chase.”

“The one thing I want to leave the Class of 2021 with is to tell you how lucky you are to have grown up in this community,“ Roth said. ”This was the greatest way of growing up that one could imagine.”

He left the graduates with one word — civility.

“We need to practice civility all the time,” he said. “Civility is … thinking beyond your own beliefs and being able to disagree with people without being disrespectful.”

He urged the class to think about the diversity “on which we were all founded and appreciate and learn from that.”