PHOTOS - Medfield High School Graduation Ceremony

At last, the MHS Class of 2020 Graduation ...

It is doubtful the Class of 2020 MHS graduates ever anticipated their Commencement Exercises to be held in late July under the hot sun while sitting with three members of their immediate family and socially distant from their fellow graduates while wearing masks. But, this is 2020, the year of a pandemic and a year in which everything has changed for these teens and everyone else!

Back in late May, on what was originally scheduled to be their graduation day, these students enjoyed the cheers of Medfield residents who turned out in force to watch the Class of 2020 "Rolling Rally". Hundreds of people lined the streets, cheered and held signs of encouragement.

Nearly two months later, on July 25, things looked was quite different for these students, as a scaled down graduation event took place. Only the graduates along with three members of their family, school administration and staff along with a handful of invited guests were in attendance at the high school turf field for Commencement Exercises.

Each graduate was assigned a place to sit with their family members. Four seats were placed ten feet apart from the next family of four. There was no MHS band playing "Pomp and Circumstance", no processional of graduates and no crowds filling the bleachers, but this day was still very special for these students and their families because there was no certainty an in-person graduation would ever come to fruition due to the ongoing Coronavirus concerns.

Another difference was with the Presentation of Diplomas. The graduates, dressed in their caps, gowns and masks, lined up 6' apart, and after hearing their name read by Assistant Principal, Heather Mandosa, walked across the stage and picked up their diploma from a table rather than have it handed to them by an administrator or school committee member.

There is no doubt putting this event together and following all the safety guidelines put forth by DESE (Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education), took a great amount of work and preparation by the school administrators and staff. MHS staff members, Maryjean Ingram and Maura Fitzpatrick had an official guest list and checked everyone in before they were allowed to enter the field area.

Assistant Principal, Jeff Sperling constantly sanitized the podiums and changed the microphone covers between speakers. Both he and guidance counselor, Stephanie Worthley wore gloves when touching each diploma and when placing them on the table for the graduate to take. Many other staff members helped out including Eric Scott, Dave Worthley and Erik Ormberg. All this attention to detail was greatly appreciated by the students and parents.

No matter the delay, Congratulations to all the Class of 2020 MHS Graduates and their families.

Class of 2020 Officers

• James Cosolito, President
• Sophia Gustafson, Vice President
• Luigi Musto, Secretary
• John McDonald, Treasurer

Graduation Ceremony

• Opening Remarks - Heather Mandosa, Assistant Principal
• National Anthem - Matthew McGrory
• Welcome - James Cosolito, President, Class of 2020
• Honor Essayists - Sophia Gustafson, Nicolina Farmer
• Message to the Class of 2020 - Anna Mae O'Shea Brooke, Medfield School Committee Chair
• Senior Speaker - Kate Davignon