Although COVID restrictions at Bozrah’s John F. Fields Memorial School have begun to be less severe, the administration decided that graduation exercises for the eighth grade class of 2021 would be part virtual, part in person.

Approximately 100 people attended a festive but somewhat brief outdoor ceremony held June 10 at Maples Farm Park instead of at the traditional venue, the school’s gymnasium.

The 27 graduates and their families enjoyed fine spring weather. As is tradition in Bozrah, the honorary grand marshals of graduation are the younger siblings of graduates. This year, Finn Allen and Ladiely Mercado led the class, dressed in blue or white caps and gowns, to their seats before a tent festooned with flowers and balloons, where each received his or her certificate and any honors and scholarships they had earned.

Speakers for the evening included Superintendent of Schools Dr. Portia Bonner, Board of Education Chairperson Jeanne Goulart and Principal Catherine Dowler. Each of the speakers congratulated the students on their success, including persevering through the obstacles to their normal educational routines caused by the COVID pandemic.

In fact, flexibility and ingenuity, on the part of both students and teachers, were reflected in the virtual part of the program, which was made available on the Fields Memorial School website for families and the public to enjoy later. The online ceremony included a much loved Bozrah tradition, a review of highlights of the students’ experiences from pre-kindergarten through their final year.

Speakers Logan Deshefy, Zoe Mandes, Ella Allen and Kali Kapilotis told stories of projects, field trips and special events they had enjoyed throughout their careers at FMS. These reminiscences were followed by a slide show with photographs of all the graduates throughout their school years.

Presenting the intrepid Fields Memorial School Class of 2021: Ella Rose Allen, Eathon Scott Barnes, Stacia Grace Bialowans, Rianna Katelynn Cavanna, Aidan P. Corcoran, Brody B. Corcoran, Logan Deshefy, Madison Anne Griffin, Julianna Lynn Helm, Jaden Sean Hill, Nicholas Jon Jusseaume, Kali Athena Kapilotis, Colsen Andrew Kudlach, Patrick Ryan Lawson, Zoe A. Mandes, John Joseph Mastorakis, Lisaidy Stephanie Mercado, Aleasha Lynn Morales, Eric John Newman, Isabel Lily Anna Ochs, Riley Benjamin Perkins, Michael James Santee, Lillian Madison Schaen, Logan J. Sheldon, Wyatt Patrick Strong, Mason D. Toth and Brodin Michael Warzecha.