Published: 6/20/2021 4:21:55 PM
Editor’s Note: For more graduation coverage, including graduates’ names, award winners and speeches, see the Recorder’s June 30 special section commemorating the Class of 2021.
CHARLEMONT — The 12 graduates of The Academy at Charlemont were honored Saturday afternoon for their tenacity and the way they shined a light during a pandemic-afflicted year.
Addressing the 39th graduating class, school trustee Paul Catanzaro thanked the students for their leadership through a turbulent year.
“None of us would have picked this year for your senior experience, but we are extremely fortunate to have had the leadership with your particular class,” Catanzaro said. “You kept the light shining.”
Catanzaro said the seniors kept the light shining through the darkest days of the pandemic and it all culminated with their graduation.
“It’s most definitely shining here today as we celebrate graduation,” Catanzaro said. “We’re still standing, not without some bumps and bruises, but we’re together and we’re still us. We’re still strong, maybe stronger, because of all of you.”
Associate Head of School Nora Bates Zale said the graduates were able to persevere through the past year, noting how they were able to help each other cope.
“The pandemic has saddled us all with a deep amount of trauma … and I can’t help but reframe that in order to recognize how you all have shown us the opposite,” Bates Zale said. “In the face of trauma, you have brought joy. In the face of loss, you brought gifts.”
Bates Zale said she hopes the students’ experience at the academy has taught them about who they really are.
“You were a tiny group that possessed a collection of loud voices ... and I think there were some moments that left the rest of you really trying to determine who would step up,” Bates Zale said. “I hope that process has taught you something about who each of you truly are.”
After Catanzaro and Bates Zales’ speeches, a musical interlude featuring some of the students was performed. Soon after, the students were handed their diplomas, gave their speeches and set off as graduates of the Class of 2021. Elaina Gibb-Buursma said she was “grateful” the 12 graduates were able to have an in-person ceremony. She added that the events of the past year have brought the class closer than ever, both in school and out.
“We had a lot of camp-outs,” Gibb-Buursma said. “Hearing each other laugh at something weird in class was so emotional.”
Elizabeth Bigelow agreed, saying the “time apart made me appreciate everyone more.”
Likewise, Sarah Senet said it was a pretty strange year, but an in-person graduation ceremony was a nice way to end it. “I’m really happy we got to do this,” Senet said. “It was definitely an odd year.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.
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