Menomonee Falls in-person graduation ceremony, seniors celebrate
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - All of the changes with schools through the COVID-19 pandemic made for a unique senior year for the class of 2021.
Menomonee Falls High School on Friday, June 11 celebrated its seniors with a traditional ceremony.
At the start of the school year, daily coronavirus cases were at an all-time high and it was not yet known when vaccines would be available. The class of 2021 didn't know if they'd have a graduation ceremony at all, but thanks to vaccines – and storms keeping to the west – the outdoor ceremony felt normal in all the right ways.
Menomonee Falls High School graduation ceremony on June 11, 2021.
Because it was outdoors, masks were not required. One by one, more than 300 seniors walked across the stage – smiles fully visible.
"It’s like an actual normal, traditional graduation, so I’m happy. I mean we all are," said senior Madelyn Morgan, who plans to attend UW-Whitewater to study marketing.
Menomonee Falls High School graduation ceremony on June 11, 2021.
Students who spoke to FOX6 News said it has been a challenging year figuring out new ways to learn and connect. They missed out on dances and other traditions but were excited to have this final opportunity.
"It’s actually been kind of difficult, just with COVID itself. You know different teaching styles, different ways of learning, online is really difficult, but we overcame it and that’s all that really matters," said senior Madisyn Harrison said.
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Harrison will be attending North Carolina A&T in the fall with the goal of becoming a dermatologist – excited, but nervous, for what's next.
"Just because it’s something different. We’re moving on to a new chapter of our lives. I’m just kind of overwhelmed a little bit. I’m shaking actually," Harrison said.
Wherever the students go, they carry with them a skill set unique to the 2021 class.
"I would say that we’re the soldiers. We fought through this year," said Harrison.
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