It wasn’t a traditional graduation ceremony, but 274 Hopkinsville High School seniors were recognized Friday night as they walked across the stage to receive their diploma during a virtual graduation ceremony.
The Class of 2020 had their senior year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which prompted Kentucky’s governor to close schools across Kentucky in mid-March. The Christian County school district opted to honor and recognize the graduates with a recorded virtual ceremony in order to adhere to social distancing and other restrictions related to the virus.
At the 116th commencement ceremony, Principal Dr. John Gunn congratulated the graduates for earning their diploma.
Honorary Principal, Hopkinsville Middle School Principal Wendy Duvall said their senior year, senior season, or senior prom didn’t go the way the graduates had planned, but the Class of 2020 had overcome an event that changed everyone’s lives.
Retired agriculture teacher, Troy Goode was the commencement speaker. He said he would remember the seniors for their accomplishments not what they missed their final year at HHS.
He advised the seniors “our character needs to define us, not our circumstances”.
Goode then challenged the graduates to reach full potential.
Principal Dr. Gunn recognized students who received awards and the co-valedictorians, Jerry Morris, II and Bryce Robinson, and salutatorian Hannah Croom.
You can watch the HHS virtual graduation ceremony on the YouTube video below:
