Sunday Thoughts: To the FHS Class of 2020

My Alma Mater Fremont Senior High School was trending but not for anything good. The class of 2020 commencement speech was given by Senator Ben Sasse who himself was a graduate of FHS in 1990. Unfortunately his speech was nothing short of inspirational in fact it was straight up embarrassing to say the least and from someone who also graduated from the same school in 2001, I wanted to write something more motivational/inspiring to the class of 2020.

Here's the video 

 

Dear FHS Class of 2020,

One thing Senator Sasse got wrong is that I remember EXACTLY my high school graduation. Because at the time I graduated 19 years ago (but whose counting?) the ceremony was held outside at the football stadium but that year it rained all day so we were forced inside at the same arena where your ceremony is held now, it was on a Sunday in the evening as opposed to Saturday in the afternoon, girls wore hideous gold with a stupid collar while guys wore black, now everyone wears black and you get a cool gold sash (which I am totally jealous of by the way). During the handing out of diplomas when of my fellow classmates crashed the speeches that were given (only by honor students and foreign exchange students) which was so hilarious for years to come. The other thing that happened my graduating year? Four months later September 11th would happen something you'd later learn in Social Studies or History Class, since you had yet to make your debut in this world.

I remember the US being at a complete standstill, businesses shut down, long lines to the gas stations, flag displayed or would sell out, the phrase "United we stand" would be uttered in the days, months and years to come. How ironic that almost 20 years later a global pandemic would halt not only the US but the entire world. United would be from a distance. You no longer reported to class no longer physically but at your homes in front of a screen, no activities, no prom to look forward to and no socializing with friends. 

For those who probably hated high school the introverted, ones who didn't thrive breathed a sigh of relief and were able to go at your own pace. For those who are extroverted who thrived in high school  may have struggled themselves because they're used to be the center of attention or used to the hustle and bustle of high school life. However your situation you "leveled up" you rose to the occasion and showed up, got the job done despite the circumstances. Your senior year was thrown the biggest curve ball ever, you may not get the fancy pomp and circumstance you still are recognized for your achievements. 

When your 10 year reunion you can reflect back at "The one where the entire world stopped" or "The one with a global pandemic" however you phrase it, you will tell your kids about it look back on it not with anger or sadness looked back on how you adapted became a warrior in an usual time of your young lives. This prepared you for life/adulthood. 

You have learned life doesn't always go as planned, that if Plan A or B even C don't work you have an entire alphabet, that you were able to complete schooling with technology something that wasn't as advanced when I was in high school, hell You Tube wasn't around. You learned to adapt and accept the hands you were dealt. That's life in a nutshell. 

FHS Class of 2020, I wish you all the best to you in the future.

Miss Mag Nificent