Linsly Graduates Reflect on Unusual Year, Celebrate Their Resilience
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WHEELING -- The Sunday morning air was more like a late fall football game than a start-of-summer commencement ceremony at The Linsly School's graduation ceremony, but nothing – not even 7,000 miles of distance – could stop the graduating seniors from seeing each other off.
The 78 graduates included several international students, including valedictorian Kaichen Jin, who delivered his speech remotely from China.
Jin recounted numerous fond memories of his time at Linsly, including a tug-of-war match, where he desperately wished his team had more football players.
"Although, unfortunately, I cannot be there with you in person, I believe the bond that we have built and strengthened over the last four years is bringing us closer together to the extent that even time and space cannot break us apart," Jin said.
Jin added that as the global political climate was in turmoil, he was glad that Linsly prepared its graduates to serve as leaders for the world going forward.
"This year has been tough for many of us, as political tension rises around the world, we're sad to see hatred, prejudice, and hostility are spreading. ... We seem to be less patient, and more prone to methods that directly display impressive amounts of power associated with those negative emotions," he said. "Yet, amid the chaos, the world now is lacking prominent leaders who are courageous enough to be the models fighting against the anger in the heart of the world, and honoring civil discourse to solve problems.
"Thankfully, we have learned to be responsible leaders. We have learned to be leaders, to manifest respect, kindness, and courage, and we're ready to contribute to the process of diminished hostility, and to encourage civilized conversations in the world."
Salutatorian Lily George lamented that the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the Linsly students to be separated, but their camaraderie was not broken. Further, she pointed out that their senior year was salvaged thanks to the quick thinking and hard work of teachers and faculty.
"Separated from one another physically, the Linsly community was fragile at the beginning of the year, yet creativity prevented complete fragmentation," George said. "Resilient and adaptable describe the class of 2021. ... Furthermore, this year, we encountered many disappointments, including missing out on numerous sporting events and losing our senior homecoming extravaganza, and other, similar traditions.
"Despite the impediments to normal life, the Linsly community prevailed," she continued. "Although the methods in which our education was delivered this year changed, we never stopped learning. This year, our teachers succeeded in continuing our education through creative means and providing us with a memorable senior year."
Due to the pandemic, George added afterwards that the seniors were unable to raise a huge amount of money for the seniors' gift to the school. However, she said they were able to raise $1,400, which would be allocated toward installing a drinking fountain in the Williams Visual Arts Center.