NEW PALESTINE — Foul weather pushed the outdoor graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 back a day at New Palestine High School, but no one seemed put off by the 24-hour delay. After all, the slight alteration in plans seemed fitting for a class that has endured adversities both large and small over the past 15 months. New Palestine’s 282 seniors received their diplomas during the ceremony Saturday night at Kelso Stadium at the high school.
If Principal Jim Voelz had his way, he’d give the Palestine High Class of 2021 the highest grade possible for the way it persevered through the pandemic. And then some.
Voelz thanked the administration, educators, parents and the community for helping the schools weather COVID-19. Then, he singled out the seniors gathered before him on the field at Kelso Stadium.
“You came through with a grade of A+ this year,” Voelz said. “The seniors set the example for the rest of the students in our building. You were truly awesAome.”
For the Class of 2021, the occasion also empowered the students to look forward.
“You have nothing to lose by dreaming big,” Valedictorian Breanna Shaw told her classmates. “We had a good run, but it’s time to move on to bigger things.”
