The Class of 2020 passed a unique milestone as they graduated from HCHS. They were the first class to mark their commencement with a virtual graduation ceremony. Though this year’s graduating seniors were preparing for the ceremony from their homes, many of the hallmarks of a Hunter graduation were still evident.
Lisa Siegmann, Director of Hunter College Campus Schools, gave the Welcome to the assembled class, and Sophia Li ’20 delivered the Salutation. Distinguished Graduate Shola Lynch ’87 addressed the Class of 2020. Lynch, who is Curator of the Moving Image and Recorded Sound at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, told them “Your choices and [their] consequences are yours… Make choices so that life doesn’t happen to you, but you happen to life.”
Principal Dr. Tony Fisher led the class in turning their tassels. A post commencement celebration was held following the graduation ceremony, where the Class Gift was presented. This year’s gift was donated to the Fund for Public Schools’ NYC Schools COVID-19 Response Effort, a nonprofit organization that partners with the New York City Department of Education to support students, particularly those who may be economically disadvantaged. One of the highlights of the celebration was a prerecorded speech given by Lin-Manuel Miranda ’98.
