There is no question that the Class of 2020 is having an unexpected ending to our senior year. Just four years ago we were wide-eyed freshmen with the expectation that our high school career would end when we walked across the stage in our caps and gowns. Despite the current global circumstances, we may not be able to have the picture perfect ending, but there is no doubt that it will be memorable. We can proudly say that we had Fitch High School’s very first drive-in movie style graduation ceremony.

However, I can say with confidence that there is so much more to Fitch High School’s Class of 2020 than this pandemic. Throughout our four years together, the unity of this class has grown stronger and stronger. At every school event, whether it be a basketball game or spirit week, my class has joined together with the most excitement and dedication that I have seen.

Our class has gotten to live through so many successes in our sports teams and in our extracurriculars. The marching band went to nationals, taking fourth place in one of the competitions they attended. The boys’ soccer team won their division for the 2019 season and were runner-ups for the ECC champion title, beating some of their biggest rivals. And the boys’ basketball team went undefeated for the majority of their 2019-2020 season. These constant successes built up our school’s confidence and commitment to school spirit. A small group of seniors this year created a student section social media account, announcing the theme for each game. This gave students from all grades the opportunity to come together for a common interest, something that does not happen anywhere else. The excitement circling each win made the next game and theme even more meaningful.

Through the Class of 2020’s successes, its true personality has come to light. I have never seen a more determined group of students. Everyone has worked so hard over these last four years, and there is no doubt that it has paid off. My peers are going to further their education, going into the workforce, and there are the amazing few who are choosing to serve our country. They will become doctors, nurses, business men and women, educators, and so many other amazing occupations. Our class’s dedication to achievement is truly incredible and will help us do amazing things in the future. I am so proud of everything that will be accomplished by Fitch High School’s Class of 2020 in the coming years.

I would quickly like to thank Mrs. Brennan, the nursing teacher at Fitch. I am one of the many students who were lucky enough to be inspired by Mrs. Brennan. Throughout my high school career, she has helped me discover how I can help people for the rest of my life. Mrs. Brennan is retiring after many years of not only helping patients in a hospital, but students who continued their education dedicated to helping others.

There is one last message I would like to leave for my class. Even though we are not having the traditional graduation ceremony that we all imagined as freshmen, we still made it. All of our hard work throughout the past four years have given us the opportunity to get our diploma and move onto the next chapter in our lives. We made it, and nothing can take that away from us.