MTHS Plans Commencement Activities
On May 11, information was sent to seniors attending Manheim Township High School (MTHS) and their parents. The communication began with the words "Our MTHS administrative team has been working to plan alternative arrangements for many milestones that typically occur at the end of a student's senior year." The communication, which can be found at http://www.mtwp.net/2020/05/mths-honors-the-class-of-2020, referenced state guidelines with regard to large gatherings under COVID-19 restrictions.
To move forward in a way that honored each of the more than 400 students scheduled to graduate this year, the Manheim Township School District (MTSD) developed a survey to gather input from members of the Class of 2020. Based on the students' responses, the district developed a plan that includes a virtual commencement ceremony and virtual awarding of diplomas.
The virtual commencement will be livestreamed on YouTube and available via the school website on Thursday, June 4, beginning at 7 p.m. During commencement, MTSD superintendent Dr. Robin Felty will certify the Class of 2020. In addition to remarks by Felty, prerecorded aspects of the ceremony will include student speeches and remarks by senior class president Trinity Tull.
Student speakers were given the theme "There's No Place Like Home" on which to write speeches. Continuing with the "Wizard of Oz" theme, speaker Benton Waters will speak on "Brains." Mariam Ahmed will speak on the topic of "Heart," and Tull will focus on the topic of "Courage."
Benton is the son of Tricia Waters and William Waters, both of Lancaster. In his speech, he will share with classmates his perspective on attending MTHS, saying, "While graduation represents a celebration of traditional learning, these past four years have been full of untraditional lessons. Learning that occurred both inside and outside of the classroom which has prepared us in ways we don't always celebrate. It's time we recognize the true extent of the education we received here at Township." Following graduation, Benton plans to take a gap year, during which he will work and prepare for his postsecondary education.
Mariam, of Lancaster, is the daughter of Akouna Galmai and Fatime Sougoudi. In her speech, Mariam will speak on the outlook the MTHS Class of 2020 may choose to show the world in spite of their circumstances, saying, "There was no real ending, but we have been given a greater beginning. Let us be the class of greater beginnings, of optimism and hope." Following graduation, Mariam plans to major in engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Trinity is the daughter of Kimberly Tull of Lititz. In her speech, she will encourage her classmates to face the next chapter of their lives without reservations. "The future of the Class of 2020 is still unclear. We can be excited for our lives moving forward, but it is also OK to be a little frightened. It doesn't mean that we are not courageous," Trinity wrote. In the fall, Trinity will attend George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to major in political science on a pre-law track.
Leave a Review