The rain didn’t fall, but the tears did.

 

At 6 p.m. Sunday at Wayne Jamison Field, 182 Bridgeport High School graduates received their diplomas and several of those students addressed their peers through speech and song. Their words were congratulatory. They also focused on gratitude and reflection.

 

The daughter of a member of BHS faculty, Miss BHS Maggie Lohmann talked about growing up attending BHS graduation ceremonies. She recalls, at the age of 9, making a memorable realization.

 

“I remember squeezing my mother’s hand as I watched that year’s graduates make their way across Wayne Jamison Field,” she said. “I looked up at her and voiced the realization that had just occurred to me: I was halfway there.”

 

Standing before the large crowd that gathered Sunday, Lohmann said it was impossible to believe that nine years had passed.

 

“I should still be that little girl dreaming of what high school would be like when I got there,” she said. “As I think back on the opportunities and memories that fill my four years of high school, I would like to say that nine-year-old me would be pleased and proud to know what BHS would offer her.”

 

Mr. BHS Jack Funk also did some reminiscing, telling some stories about his youth and how the community of Bridgeport fits in to some of those memories. He talked about a vehicle accident in which he and his twin brother Andrew were injured.

 

“The first people that helped us weren’t the paramedics and police. They were the people driving behind us and the people who lived on the street above the wreck,” he said.

 

Complete strangers had gone out of their way to help them.

 

“I know this compassion is iconic of our community and we take that for granted much too often,” he said. “Our community has had our backs since we were in preschool, supporting us before we could even comprehend how they were supporting us. We need to be grateful for this and take advantage of their support in the future because we are a part of this truly amazing community.”

 

It’s a community, Funk said, that celebrates its successes but always strives to better itself.

 

This year’s graduating class had its share of successes, Principal Mark DeFazio said. He spoke about how proud he was of their accomplishments and wished them continued success as they enter the next chapters of their lives. In doing what he said was “outside the box,” DeFazio played Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” for the students, asking them to listen closely to the words and assuring them that if they lived by those words, they would be just fine.

 

Sunday's commencement exercise was also a little unorthodox as the order of the components of the traditional ceremony played out in a different order. Because of the threat of rain shortly after 7 p.m., the presentation of diplomas took precedence and was taken care of shortly after the welcome by Senior Class President Jacob Love. But before that took place, Superintendent of Harrison County Schools Dr. Mark Manchin took the podium and asked for a moment of silence to remember former Superintendent Robert Kittle, who passed just last week. 

 

As each of the 182 graduate candidates approached the stage, he or she was congratulated by Assistant Principal Matt DeMotto and Superintendent  Manchin, after which they received their diplomas – and a handshake or hug – from DeFazio. Assisting him was Junior Class President Quinn Stalnaker. Announcing each student was Assistant Principal Mary Frances Smith. 

 

Following DeMotto’s presentation of the BHS Class of 2016 and the ceremonial flipping of the tassels – and tossing of the caps - Lohmann and Funk provided their speeches and special music was delivered. Hannah Cottrill sang Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and Emily Estanich sang “Franklin.”

 

BHS Junior/Senior Counselor Jane Byrd asked each of the students who had received scholarships to stand and face their parents. This year, more than $5 million in awards were presented to this year’s graduating class at a senior assembly which was held Tuesday at the BHS auditorium. (See that list HERE.)

 

Sunday's processional, recessional and National Anthem were performed by the BHS Band. Graduate Halee Knight who served as drum major this year, led the ensemble in the National Anthem. Student Body President Ross Marra led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Singing the BHS Alma Mater were Emily Estanich, Olivia Leadman and Lindsay Malenich. Senior Class Vice-President Donald Kummer provided the farewell. He talked about friendships made, memories created, as well as the goals and quests which lie ahead. 

 

Additional photos and a video of the processional are forthcoming on Connect-Bridgeport.