No masks. Plenty of hugs. Grafton High’s pandemic class of 2021 crosses the finish line

The Grafton High School Class of 2021 spent most of its senior year apart.

But class president Wesley Chiu reflected that the entirety of their time in high school was marked by loss — moments of silence to honor students lost in shootings across the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic that killed millions. And, looking to the sky, he spoke of his grandmother, who died before having the opportunity to watch a final grandchild receive his high school diploma.

“We lost our entire high school experience,” he said, urging his classmates to “live your lives to the fullest and don’t look back.”

For Principal Jim Pignataro, the day marked his own graduation after 34 years in the Grafton schools, serving first as a history teacher and coach before taking on the running of the school in the early 2000s. Echoing faculty praise that called the Class of 2021 “smart, confident and resilient,” he encouraged them to recognize and thank the people who helped them.

“What you do matters,” he said. “What will you stand up for? How will you live your life?”

Valedictorian Luciano Galvani referred to his classmates as “the class that showed up” through multiple difficulties, who would persevere as they are already battle-tested.

“Nothing quite makes you question your existence than sitting in your car, looking at the moon on a cold winter morning before going to school,” he said.

Salutatorian Mikayla Mannion spoke about an accident she had on a mountain in the winter. She could have changed her pathway, she said, but she still took the opportunity to admire the view.

“We have learned. We have persevered,” she said. “Congratulations Class of 2021. You have arrived. And enjoy the view.”

See a photo you like? Email jennifer@graftoncommon.com.

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