This is usually a fun time of year for those are to graduate, whether it’s the ceremony itself or, in the case of Kearny High School, the annual Project Graduation that has done its part, for years, to keep kids safe after they get their diplomas.
But COVID-19 thwarted a lot of the joy and celebrating that comes with finishing high school. Fortunately, however, Kearny Superintendent of Schools Patricia Blood made sure that every senior at the high school had a most memorable experience to end their secondary education careers.
While the stands at the stadium were empty, and the field barren, there were moments the graduates should never forget. Whether it was taking photos in front a gigantic KHS Class of 2020 backdrop created by the school’s custodial staff, or getting a certificate that they survived the pandemic or receiving a goody bag that included mementos, including an Amazon gift card, the overall experience was one that should be a model for all schools — public or private — should graduations be limited ever again.
Blood, herself, tended to all 400+ mini-graduations over a nine-day period. The weather conditions weren’t always ideal. But there she was, in every single instance. She was joined by Kearny HS Principal Jackie Richardson and other admins. And because of their incredible efforts, memories that will last a lifetime were made.
Sure, it’s not the same as having the New York City skyline as a backdrop. It’s not quite the same when students start and finish in a car.
But it was still exemplary.
And we hope that if something like this is needed in the future that all districts follow.
Bravo to Blood, Richardson, et al, who made Graduation 2020 memorable.
Just who was it that said the Class of ’20 was getting short-changed anyway?
Kearny HS seniors sure weren’t.
Learn more about the writer ...
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.