What some expected to be a “better than nothing” graduation parade and ceremony for the Aberdeen High School senior class last Friday night, turned out to be a statement of community pride and staff dedication that graduates and their families will long remember.

From a parent’s perspective, the planning and manpower that went into the event were amazing. The pre-event check-in was organized and on-time, and was combined with a much-needed opportunity for students to visit and reconnect with classmates they hadn’t seen in three months. The highlight of the evening for graduates and their families had to be the parade through town, with community members of all ages, waving, clapping and holding signs throughout the entire parade route.

Many of these people had friends or family members in the graduating class, but others appeared to be just out to show their support for the graduates, and at least in our car, there were some moist eyes at this great turnout. The culmination of the evening was the handing out of diplomas at Stewart Field, where a group of teachers, staff, and administrators worked nonstop for nearly five hours with their best smiles on, to give every graduate their moment of recognition.

While the wait was long for some families, it was offset by the knowledge that when the time came, each senior heard their name called, received their diploma, and moved their tassel while family members had plenty of time to cheer and take photos. There is no such thing as a “normal” graduation for anyone this year, but the AHS class of 2020 had an extraordinary event that everyone involved can be proud of.

Pete Scroggs

Aberdeen