KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – High schools across Northeast Wisconsin are celebrating the graduates of the class of 2021. This year a lot of those celebrations are happening in-person again.
In Kimberly, grads are walking the football field in cap and gown.
“It’s just nice we’re able to do this and be with everybody,” said class of 2021 graduate, Hanna Reichenberger.
And parents cheering on their graduates.
“We didn’t think this was going to happen,” said one parent.
Graduation isn’t the norm in Papermaker stadium. But, it’s how Kimberly High School pulled off the class of 2021’s graduation ceremony.
“I get to celebrate this big accomplishment with all my friends,” said graduate Skylah Robinson.
In any normal year– the school hosts graduation inside its gym. Last year’s graduating class, celebrated virtually. But the class of 2021 got to sit socially distanced on the field.
“It’s an iconic event, first time it’s ever happened in Papermaker Stadium,” said Kimberly staff member Kelly Jansen.
Even the graduates themselves couldn’t picture this happening a year ago.
“Honestly at the beginning of the year I really didn’t think we would, we didn’t even know if we were going to be in-person at all,” said Reichenberger.
Each graduate had four tickets to give to family. Parents say nothing compares to watching the once in a lifetime event through their eyes, instead of a screen.
“Watching your child graduate virtually isn’t the same as watching them across the field and it’s such a huge accomplishment,” said parent Susan Buehler.
“I mean it’s kind of a perfect culmination to this rough last year we all had,” said parent David Schomisch.
Kimberly High School hosted in-person school all year. Teachers say having an in-person graduation was a great way to celebrate a year with a lot of changes in student’s school environment.
“It took a lot of work, it took a lot of planning, but kudos to the kids who supported that and we’re here,” said Jansen.
So to close the yearbook on an unforgettable year, one graduate wants his classmates to remember one thing; “Even if things seem impossible, they are possible,” said Collin Olson.
Kimberly High School also live streamed the event for anyone who could not make it.
Just under 400 students graduated on Wednesday.
