The only color that echoed through Hank Johns Field at Harry S. Truman High School last night were the pale yellow roses gripped by young men and women in white and black caps and gowns.
They awaited patiently in white chairs that lined the field, as wind swirled, and the sky darkened around them. Thus began the night’s biggest race, a race to call out every graduating senior before the field became blanketed with a day’s worth of rain.
Advertisements
The night began shortly after 5:30 p.m. as the thirty second graduating class exited through the award winning school, through the high school’s parking lot, and through a crowd of their proud family and friends before taking their arranged seats on a kelly green field.
Their family members and friends alike could be heard shouting their names and chanting from the stands.
After the singing of the National Anthem, and the Star Spangled Banner, thus began the remarks of David Mickolas (President, National Honor Society), the Principal, James Moore, and a keynote address from a member of Woodrow Wilson’s class of 1974, David Uosikkinen.
Advertisements
Uosikkinen, a rock legend, famous for his drumming in the band The Hooters, began his speech with a chuckle. A chuckle at the excited seniors who during most of the commencement passed brightly colored beach balls among the two sections of seats.
Uosikkinen then congratulated the seniors on their hard work, and encouraged them to “never forget the friendships they have made” during their short time in high school. He explained that no matter the direction they all decided to take, that the relationships they made during this time in their lives, were bonds that would last for a lifetime.
Advertisements
As the wind began to pick up, there was not an unfocused audience member or graduate as Luke Robinson III (Class President) asked for a moment of silence in which all in attendance honored the late Edward Brodecki.
Brodecki, a member of the class of 2013, had tragically lost his life in a car accident on Emilie Road in April.
Although there may have been one empty seat among the graduates, Robinson spoke of the twisting and memorable journey to reaching this very night.
Advertisements
He noted that while the golden age of Truman may be leaving, this was not the golden age in the rest of their lives, explaining that no matter who you were in high school, you were part of the entire picture.
Valedictorian, Jacklyn Huhn after greeting Robinson with a hug on the field, stood at the podium and reminded all the graduates that while they may be leaving Truman, the teachers and staff who had been a huge part in getting them there, would continue to be around.
Advertisements
It was only a few minutes later when the diplomas were presented.
Parents waited anxiously at the edge of their seats hoping their child’s name would be called before the storm showed its true colors. Some even threw on their ponchos, opened their umbrellas, or took seats underneath the bleachers to avoid the cold and spitting rain.
Advertisements
The weather although uncomfortable, didn’t seem to faze the graduates as many of them chanted, danced or jumped after receiving their diplomas. Many of them ran to greet their friends in warm embraces on the field before taking their seats again to honor their fellow classmates.
There was a brief pause as the thunder roared and the final name was called. Then, a burst of excitement and thrill as the class of 2013 threw their caps in the air, and ran to hug their family members tight.
Advertisements
As all huddled on the field, basking in the pride of a job well done, Mother Nature shed her tears as well, and the entire field was immersed in a beautiful and peaceful rain. A rain which greeted all the graduates with a rainbow.
On behalf of the staff of LevittownNow, congratulations to the class of 2013.
