Dade High hosts graduation for 2020 class

Dade County High School held a graduation commencement for the Class of 2020 June 26 at Magic Morgan Stadium.

 

Just shy of 150 students were in attendance to receive their diplomas. Dade County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jan Irons Harris and Dade High School Principal James Fahrney addressed the class before calling the students up to the stage.

 

“On behalf of the board of education, we want you to know that we love you and we’re so proud of each one of you,” Harris said.

 

Challenged with perhaps the most adversity out of any class to walk out the doors of Dade High, the class not only suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also lost a student. A vacant chair in the middle of the sea of graduates was decorated with a gown, achievement cords, flowers and a religious drawing to honor Alexus “Lexi” Moore who passed away on Oct. 3, 2019, in a tragic automobile accident.

 

Memphis Poston, one of the class’ top 4 students, reminded his class at the end of his speech to “love like Lexi.”

 

A total of three scholarships of $1,000 dollars created to honor the memory of Moore were given to Sarah Kelly, Issaih Morcombe and Kayli Arnold.

 

Despite the pain and frustration the class went through to get to this moment, Harris said that there was nothing but positivity shining through the ceremony.

 

“The class has went through great adversity with the death of a student and the challenges of the pandemic,” Harris said. “It’s just been an amazing display of positivity and grit. I’m especially proud of the Class of 2020.”

 

Fahrney said that despite the circumstances, the Class of 2020 deserved to have a proper graduation.

 

“It’s been a long road to get here,” Fahrney said. “But, I think we were able to honor them in the appropriate way. They did what they needed to do to stay safe. We’re just glad that we can share in this moment and have a real graduation for a great class.”

 

Like most of the students, Cassidy Walker was not sure if she would get to share another moment with her classmates ever again.

 

“I’m very thankful to have had this opportunity,” Walker said. “I know that with everything that’s going on it was kind of hard to get everything together. I’m just grateful and I’m thankful to our class, the faculty and staff that helped put this all together. I’m going to miss everybody. Go Wolverines.”

 

Wilkins said it was a blessing for the class to come together one final time.

 

“We’re blessed to have had this opportunity,” Wilkins said. “It was great to have one more chance to meet all together as a class.”

 

The Valedictorian of the Class of 2020 is Memphis Poston and the Salutatorian is Jackson Wilkins.

 

Congratulations to the Class of 2020. The Sentinel wishes you luck in all of your future endeavors.