AHS Class of 2021 looks to the future, despite challenging year
ALPENA, Mich. –After a year full of back–and–forth between home and the classroom, Alpena’s Class of 2021 finally got to throw their hats in the air on Sunday.
The weather turned out to be just right for a graduation Sunday afternoon. The cloudy skies and chilly breeze gave way to a sun as bright as the students’ futures. It was a graduation well–earned by the Class of 2021, who kept strong in a year of uncertainty, adaptation, and anxiety.
Brendan Stepaniak, now a proud alumnus, said this graduation was a relief.
“It finally happened and I’m here. And it’s like I can breathe again. To enjoy that it’s finally here.”
Jade Grey, one of the two student speakers, said learning in the pandemic changed the way she thought about her mindset in education.
“Y’know, we’ve been really used to knowing the plan and [looking] ahead and [thinking] about what’s next. We’d be really, really focused on that. And the pandemic just made us stop and slow down. So that’s been a hard adjustment. Y’know, our social lives are different, our school lives are different, our sports lives are different…”
Congratulations, graduates!
We wish you all the best!
