OFHS graduation looks closer to normal

The 2021 commencement ceremony at Oconto Falls High School looked closer to the old normal than it did a year ago.

On Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in 2020, with fears of a global pandemic growing, the graduating class paraded through downtown, and they had to wait until summer to hold an outdoor ceremony on the football field at ST Paper Stadium.

This year’s ceremony was held on time May 30 in the familiar environs of the fieldhouse, but the graduates and audience were socially distanced, masks were encouraged and each graduate was limited to four guests.

High school principal Dan Moore said despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Class of 2021 won’t be defined by the last 14 months.

“Each of you will now be embarking on your own unique path,” Moore said. “There are tremendous opportunities for you, more so than in many recent years, and we need you to be fully invested and taking advantage of those opportunities. Take some time to relax and reflect this summer on your journey toward graduation, and then move forward and make things happen.”

Superintendent Dean Hess said his message to the graduates is to keep moving forward.

“Each one of you has the training and capacity to be successful in the next chapter of your life,” Hess said. “The question yet to be answered is, will you embrace those challenges? Will you embrace those opportunities? Will you have the grit to keep moving forward? Based on what we’ve experience in our time with you, we are confident that you will.”

He acknowledged there will be times when they struggle, fail and fall, but he encouraged them: “When you fall, fall forward, get back up and keep moving forward.”

Hess used his remarks to recognize the five members of the senior class who have enlisted in the armed services: Blake Dequaine (Marines), Joana Espino (Air Force), Carston Leonhardt (Navy), Richard Tulogeski (Army) and Alex Waschbisch (Navy). The audience and their classmates gave them a standing ovation.

Victoria Athey and Connor Romandine served as student speakers at the ceremony.

“Our journey began a long time ago. No longer are we going to be one, but individuals separated from the crowd we once followed for years,” Athey said. “Today is simply the day when all 106 of us part ways and follow our own path.”