A 30-minute rain delay did not dampen the spirits of J.P. McCaskey High School’s 87th graduating class, their families or their friends.
“I can’t help but think how far we have come,” senior Hecenit Cruz told the graduates assembled on the field of McCaskey’s football stadium. Attending school in a pandemic, often virtually, was hard. “My parents were the ones who stood behind me and assured me that, on this day, I would be proud of myself for persevering and that I would be thankful to stand here.”
It was the first time since 2008 that McCaskey held its commencement in the historic stadium. Senior Hayden Lowery pondered the impossible odds that brought the 589 graduates together at that time and place, and also the life-changing impact they have on each other.
“There’s one thing that you’ve all given me that no one else can,” he said. “You have given me myself. You have taught me what it means to be Hayden. And I’m still learning that.”
Lowery is one of 60% of graduates who have plans to attend college in the fall, at schools including Dartmouth University, Bucknell University, HACC, Northwestern University, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, the University of Chicago and American University. Others are joining the US Army, Air Force and Marines.
About one in five plans to enter the workforce in fields ranging from medicine to child care to construction.
Senior vocalist Andrea Hill Cardoza and keyboardist Alex Ramos drew raucous cheers from the socially-distanced crowd of some 3,000 for their rendition of Adele’s “When We Were Young” during the program.
Senior Elian Arce Negron also prompted cheers when he declared, “Although I was born in Puerto Rico, I was raised in Lancaster and by its school system.”
“In this sea of faces, I see so much strength and diversity,” he went on. “I’m honestly just glad I got to experience this school, all of you and all of my teachers.”