Webutuck High School awards 47 diplomas after a ‘roller coaster’ year

WEBUTUCK — The weather was perfect for a positive finish to a roller coaster year as 47 hopeful seniors, prepared for the future, received diplomas at the 2021 Commencement ceremony at North East (Webutuck) Central School District on Friday, June 25. 

The appropriately distanced event was held outdoors under tents, one tent for Webutuck High School graduates and a few family members, another for “overflow” family members and friends, and one for musicians.  

Balloons in the school colors of green and white added color to the tents as did the graduates’ robes, also in school colors.

The effects of the COVID-19 school year were evident in the logistics for the event, but not so much that the celebratory spirit was in any way diminished. The Warriors had triumphed over the pandemic.

School Superintendent Raymond Castellani spoke first of society needing change to make the world a better place.  

“It is your responsibility,” he told the graduates, expecting each to go into the world and do just that. “We are all in this together.”

“This year has been a roller coaster for all of us,” Principal Katy McEnroe recalled. 

She said she was proud of how Webutuck never gave up and she spoke of how the senior class met the challenge of the pandemic year.

“Always remember your family,” McEnroe said. “I am proud of all of you.”

The Commencement Address was delivered by Robert Reid, who has served as the mathematics teacher for 17 years and clearly had the approval of the class, judging by the cheers as he took the podium. He began by praising the class for their successful efforts in raising funds to help local organizations, particularly during the past year.

He spoke of doors. “When a door closes,” he said, “reach down, take the handle in hand and open that door. Don’t let anyone close a door in your face.”

About COVID-19, Reid said that Webutuck and its students were better prepared for stay-at-home teaching than many other schools had been.

As for the future, Reid advised that the graduates will be called upon to make lots of choices, and some inevitably will be wrong, but when that happens, “dust yourself off,” and proceed.

Acknowledging the personal emotional impact of her senior year, Salutatorian Brandi Andrighetti told the audience that she and her class had pushed through by sheer perseverance.

Andrighetti recalled that at the start of their high school years at Webutuck, her freshman class was welcomed with advice that their high school time would fly by and that those years would turn out to have been the best years of their lives. The first was certainly true; the years did fly by, she said, but she hoped in view of the past year that the latter would not be the case.

Valedictorian Daisy Matus crafted her address to reflect on her high school years and what they had contributed to her understanding, while celebrating the achievement of the milestone reached for herself and her classmates.

Once the diplomas were distributed, and the tassels moved from right to left to signify the moment, the class joyfully participated in a recessional, greeting well-wishers along the way.

Seated in the rear tent as “honorary grandparents” of graduate Ashton Lobert, Joe and Sharon Langer of Barkhamsted, Conn., said proudly, “We’re glad he made it.”

The procession of the senior class stepped briskly toward their 2021 graduation ceremony at Webutuck High School, held on Friday, June 25, under large tents to accommodate family and friends. Photo by Leila Hawken

Celebrating with flowers and balloons the end of their high school years, Nola Storms, at left, and Diana Reyes paused for a photo following the 2021 graduation ceremony at Webutuck High School on Friday, June 25. Photo by Leila Hawken

The procession of the senior class stepped briskly toward their 2021 graduation ceremony at Webutuck High School, held on Friday, June 25, under large tents to accommodate family and friends. Photo by Leila Hawken