Graduation 2020: Webutuck plans virtual ceremony

WEBUTUCK — The last few months of high school can be a crucial time for making memories before graduation day. When the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March, local seniors across the Harlem Valley were left with no choice but to finish their final year of high school from home. Determined to give graduating seniors the celebration they deserve, the North East (Webutuck) Central School District has dedicated the last few months to assembling a special virtual graduation ceremony to recognize the Webutuck High School Class of 2020.

Recognizing this period as a trying time for all, Webutuck Superintendent of Schools Raymond Castellani said, “I feel that our seniors especially have had their last three months taken away from them and that’s a very difficult time for final celebrations.”

Nevertheless, he said the district has been trying to do as much as possible to recognize its seniors. Each senior received a lawn sign recognizing him or her as a graduate and a personalized gift of a blanket with “Webutuck Warrior” embroidered on it. Additionally, the district had the senior portraits enlarged and set out on the front lawn of the high school. An Adopt a Senior program was also initiated to give community members a chance to adopt graduating seniors and surprise them with gifts. 

Right from the beginning of the pandemic, Castellani said the district has been working closely with Four Brothers Drive-In Theater in Amenia to host a virtual graduation ceremony to bring  seniors and their families together. As of this time, he said the district hired a videographer who produced a virtual graduation ceremony. Along with speeches from the valedictorian and salutatorian, the video features speeches from Castellani, WHS Principal Katy McEnroe, Webutuck staff and retirees and a surprise message from a celebrity. Castellani said the district had each student come in with their cap and gown and took pictures of them to feature in the video. The high school band and choir are also featured performing in the virtual graduation ceremony.

Come Tuesday evening, June 16, the Four Brothers Drive-In Theater will be screening the virtual graduation ceremony, though the time is being withheld from the public to avoid overcrowding when social distancing is so vital. Only one car will be allowed per family unless it’s an extenuating circumstance, Castellani noted. Students and their families will be served pizza and refreshments as they watch the video, and the drive-in will be decorated for the event. Following the ceremony, families are welcome to stay at the drive-in where a movie and popcorn will be provided at the district’s expense. Each graduate will receive a copy of the video.

“I would say that we’re trying to make it special for our seniors who deserve this: this is a culmination of their years at Webutuck and whatever we can do, we’re going to try to do within our means,” Castellani said. “Kudos to our class advisors and our principal for trying to do as much as possible for our students and we look forward to this event.”

On Sunday, June 7, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state will start allowing outdoor, socially-distanced graduation ceremonies of up to 150 people, beginning Friday, June 26. In response to the announcement, Castellani said Webutuck is waiting for clarification in terms of what that means, adding that the district may organize an additional small, personal event for the graduates on the WHS front lawn. 

 

The Millerton News will run photos of the 2020 Webutuck graduates in the June 18 edition.

Latest News

Mountaineers fall 3-0 to Wamogo

Anthony Foley caught Chase Ciccarelli in a rundown when HVRHS played Wamogo Wednesday, May 1.

Riley Klein

LITCHFIELD — Housatonic Valley Regional High School varsity baseball dropped a 3-0 decision to Wamogo Regional High School Wednesday, May 1.

The Warriors kept errors to a minimum and held the Mountaineers scoreless through seven innings. HVRHS freshman pitcher Chris Race started the game strong with no hits through the first three innings, but hiccups in the fourth gave Wamogo a lead that could not be caught.

Keep ReadingShow less
The artist called ransome

‘Migration Collage' by ransome

Alexander Wilburn

If you claim a single sobriquet as your artistic moniker, you’re already in a club with some big names, from Zendaya to Beyoncé to the mysterious Banksy. At Geary, the contemporary art gallery in Millerton founded by New Yorkers Jack Geary and Dolly Bross Geary, a new installation and painting exhibition titled “The Bitter and the Sweet” showcases the work of the artist known only as ransome — all lowercase, like the nom de plume of the late Black American social critic bell hooks.

Currently based in Rhinebeck, N.Y., ransome’s work looks farther South and farther back — to The Great Migration, when Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and the public violence of lynching paved the way for over six million Black Americans to seek haven in northern cities, particularly New York urban areas, like Brooklyn and Baltimore. The Great Migration took place from the turn of the 20th century up through the 1970s, and ransome’s own life is a reflection of the final wave — born in North Carolina, he found a new home in his youth in New Jersey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Four Brothers ready for summer season

Hospitality, ease of living and just plain fun are rolled into one for those who are intrigued by the leisure-time Caravana experience at the family-owned Four Brothers Drive-in in Amenia. John Stefanopoulos, pictured above, highlights fun possibilities offered by Hotel Caravana.

Leila Hawken

The month-long process of unwrapping and preparing the various features at the Four Brothers Drive-In is nearing completion, and the imaginative recreational destination will be ready to open for the season on Friday, May 10.

The drive-in theater is already open, as is the Snack Shack, and the rest of the recreational features are activating one by one, soon to be offering maximum fun for the whole family.

Keep ReadingShow less