Doing Backflips Over Ridgefield High School Class of 2021 Commencement

The Ridgefield High School Class of 2021 commencement was a joyful, in-person celebration that showed off this group of students’ creativity, intelligence, diversity, and agility. Students paraded down to Tiger Hollow Stadium capped in festive mortarboards to the welcome sound of bagpipes and strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Student speeches (linked) by Class President Charles DeMatteo, Valedictorian Kenneth Choi, and Class Speaker Ellie Carter revealed thought and reflection on their pandemic year and beyond. “We are more than 15 months,” Carter reminded the group. “We are our entire lives and we have a lot to look forward to.” DeMatteo spoke of community and identified the touchpoints of the past four years; Choi spoke of their development as students.

This was Principal Jacob Greenwood’s first RHS Commencement and he took the opportunity to quote a Peloton trainer: “Don’t pass your time; spend it.” Superintendent Da Silva left the students with three powerful wishes.

RHS School President Kate Bucci joined DeMatteo to read off the list of the graduates.

When student Ryan Contreras pulled off an impressive backflip after receiving his diploma, he captured the ebullient spirit of the day. Parents admitted to blinking back tears at the momentous occasion of watching their students start the next stage of life and gratitude for RHS’s deliberate care at this event and over the last four years.

Congratulations, Class of 2021! You are loved. You will be missed.

R
Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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