Warwick Valley High School Graduates Enjoy Unique Celebration

Seniors at Warwick Valley High School were treated to a very special virtual graduation ceremony on Thurs., June 25 at the Warwick Drive-In. A keepsake ticket & program were given to each graduate to commemorate this special tribute.

The Warwick Drive-In hosted a very special virtual graduation ceremony for the Warwick Valley High School Class of 2020. Many families chose to decorate their cars, sit outside & celebrate the senior class.

After receiving well wishes from their teachers, the Class of 2020 was presented through a series of senior photos on the three screens at the Warwick Drive-In.

Warwick Valley High School Principal Marguerite Fusco hosted the virtual graduation on Thurs., June 25 at the Warwick Drive-In. 

‘Our hope must endeavor as absolute amongst a sea of confusion,’ Warwick H.S. Salutatorian Henri Prevost said in his address to his fellow classmates. Henri will be attending Pomona College in California this fall to study Politics.

Social Studies Teacher Eugene Burns (left) & Media Specialist Kathleen Turner graduated alongside the Class of 2020, retiring after 33 & 32 years, respectively.

Valedictorian Nehal Ajmal, who will attend Vassar College, majoring in Neuroscience & minoring in either Linguistics or Spanish told her class: ‘You are phenomenal, wonderful, legendary, deserving & I hope you accomplish everything you want to in your lives.’

Senior Speaker Natalie Daigle, who will be studying Biology at Vassar College beginning this fall, expressed gratitude & pride in her class. 

‘I am steadfast in my belief that the group in front of me today can rise above the negativity & noise,’ Class President Vidar Hageman said to his fellow classmates. Hageman discussed moving from Harlem to Pine Island & how Warwick Valley High School was a place to confidently call home. Hageman will study Philosophy at University of Virginia.

Senior Sebastian Ball was all smiles as he posed with his parents after receiving his diploma during one of seven in-person ceremonies held on the C. Ashley Morgan Football Field at the Warwick H.S.

After each mini-graduation on the football field, the graduates celebrated the end of a long & unusual senior year & reconnected with the friends they had missed during the past several months.

When it was still unknown whether or not Warwick Valley High School would be able to hold formal commencement exercises, it took the step to ensure that the Class of 2020 would be honored for their achievements by joining forces with the Warwick Drive In to host a virtual celebration. 

Some traditions cannot be modified: at the end of the mini in-person commencement ceremonies, the Class of 2020 still hurled their caps into the sky.

Due to social distancing requirements, graduates had to wear face masks to their in-person graduation held June 26 through June 28 in seven ceremonies. Brenna Comer, who will attend Horry Georgetown in South Carolina to study nursing this fall, is rocking a custom Class of 2020 mask as she waits in line to accept her diploma.

The graduating class & their guests began their commencement ceremony as they began every day of school for the past 13 years, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Warwick Valley High School administration (from left) Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach and High School Principal Marguerite Fusco lead each of seven groups of 45 seniors to the Class of 2020 Commencement Exercises.

Senior Anthony Savino proudly displayed his diploma during an in-person graduation ceremony on Sat., June 27. Savino will be attending Montclair State University this fall where he was accepted into the highly selective Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program.

At the end of the virtual presentation, the senior portrait of each senior was presented along with a list of their accomplishments. Shown in the photo is Isabella Astorino. 

Jesse Thompson’s family went all out decorating their car for the virtual graduation at the Warwick Drive-In on Thurs., June 25.

To accommodate in-person distribution of diplomas, the Warwick Valley Central School District held seven mini-ceremonies on the C. Ashley Morgan football field. Graduates sat in chairs spaced six feet apart & their parents were seated on either side of the podium. Each ceremony lasted approximately 45 minutes.