CHICOPEE - While graduation for seniors is very different this year, the seniors at Chicopee Comprehensive High School say they are very pleased with how the school handled graduation during the pandemic.
“It was a hard realization to come to that I wouldn’t get the graduation I always dreamed of, but the school has definitely done everything they could do to make it better for us and it ended up being just as special,” said Lily Cushing, a graduating senior.
The seniors at Chicopee Comp arrived for a graduation, but it wasn’t the traditional kind. They were given a different time where their name was called to receive their diploma. Instead of the entire class, it was individual students and their families.
“I’ve been in band for three years, so I have watched three long graduations, so it’s weird to have a five minute graduation just for myself, not get to see my friends, not getting to get graduation pictures,” said graduating senior Lance Fydenkevez.
Seniors also got signs for their yard and a car parade. It was a chance to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize their four years of hard work to make it to this point.
“We had a drive through a few weeks ago and it was really fun. We got to see all of our teachers and they were clapping and cheering us on and it was so nice to see all of them,” said Lauren Tilbury, graduating senior.
The seniors were thankful for how the schools handled this unique situation and are able to reflect on their high school experience and see how it shaped them and their future goals.
“It’s better that they do this rather than nothing or waiting until August to do everything because they are trying to plan around the pandemic,” said Fydenkevez. “But it’s really hard right now.”
The students were very appreciative of their teachers and staff and wanted to share some thank you’s to those who made a positive impact on their journey.
“Thank you to all my teachers and administration at Comp that were able to make this special the last 4 years and not just the last 8 weeks,” said Cushing.
“I’d especially like to thank James Wozniak and Todd Demers for being my teachers. They have taught me so much not just about computers, but life skills as well and I will always respect them for that.”
All three have plans to attend colleges in Massachusetts in the fall. They all say they are ready for the next chapter.
“I loved comp but I am ready start the next part of my life,” said Cushing. She will be studying political science at western New England University. Tilbury will be attending Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to study computer science and Fydenkevez will be heading out to Worcester County to attend Becker College and will be majoring in Veterinary Technology.