Shen. Valley grads reminisce on soon-to-be ‘good old days’
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Class of 2021 Valedictorian Jacqueline Bubnis speaks during Wednesday's commencement ceremonies.
SHENANDOAH – The Shenandoah Valley Class of 2021 chose the song “Good Old Days” by Macklemore as their class song, one which valedictorian Jacqueline Bubnis found more than fitting.
Bubnis told the crowd which packed the home grandstand at Veterans Memorial Stadium, her 70 other classmates, faculty, staff, and school board about how the song played during a drive with friends.
“It was the first time I had really listened to the words, and as it played while we drove through town, I couldn’t help but get emotional,” Bubnis said. “My mind was flooded with all of the good times we’ve had here, the laughs we’ve shared, and the fun we’ve had in these halls.”
“I thought of dancing to stand tunes during Friday night football games, doing the victory cheer at pep rallies, making pancakes in Mr. Schumack’s class, and all of the things that have made these years here so special,” she added. “I looked around at my friends, the group that I had spent countless carefree nights with, and my heart ached when I realized our days together were truly winding down.”
She looked onward to the next chapter, and the thought of saying goodbye to the class she’d grown up with.
“Familiarity is one of the joys of a small town like ours, and moving past that is frightening to say the least,” Bubnis said. “As I look at all of us here tonight, my thoughts turn to how far we have come. What began as a group of bright-eyed children is now a group of strong, intelligent young adults who are ready to take on the world.”
She thanked her classmates for the shared experiences and friendship over the past 12 years.
“I sincerely hope you’ve cherished all of the years we’ve spent here because, in the words of our class song, ‘someday soon your whole life’s gonna change and you’ll miss the magic of these good old days,” she concluded.
Her class is, like the Class of 2020, one that has had a unique and unusual senior year experience.
Principal Stuart Tripler summed it up by reminding students of how often they were actually on campus. In the Spring of 2020, they weren’t. In the Fall, it became once a week.
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“Somewhere in October, every other day. March, finally, every day,” Tripler said. “One thing you’ll be glad of is you will not be getting a phone call from Mrs. Mikita, Mr. Brennan, or I anymore.”
“If you do and keep the same great attitude you’ve had over this past year, you will be very, very successful in your future lives,” Tripler added. “We love you and will miss you. Congratulations”
According to Andy Ulicny, historian and chair of the Wall of Fame Committee, Wednesday’s commencement ceremonies marked the 150th for Shenandoah public schools.
“Commencement has been a major step in the lives of the youth for a long, long time here in Shenandoah,” Ulicny said.
He said the first Shenandoah High graduating class was in 1879 — 142 years ago. He said that large class sizes in the 1930s prompted the school to have two commencement ceremonies each year.
“When you count them all up, this is the 150th commencement exercise in the history of Shenandoah public schools,” Ulicny said.
Superintendent Brian Waite said that he believes the staff felt “deprived of your daily presence” early in the year, when students weren’t on campus.
“Yes, deprived. After all, we missed opportunities to hear the vocal talents of a Jackie Bubnis, the stage presence of a Jesse Carl, the musical skills of a Lena Bell, Megan Bell, or Kaitlyn Carduff, the artistry of Alexa Lora,” Waite said. “We’re proud of the many accomplishments of the Class of 2021. So I guess the thought of being deprived is selfish thinking on my part.
“In fact, the Class of 2021 is the epitome of selflessness,” Waite added. “After all, as senior Blue Devils, you made the ultimate sacrifice of learning online much of the school year. You did this for the betterment of those younger than you so they didn’t have to learn online. You sacrificed memories for all of the younger Blue Devils.”
Bubnis also served as class president and passed the mantel on to Diego Olayo, the incoming Junior class president.
Hunter Davis is the Class of 2021’s salutatorian and Anthony Muclada is class speaker.
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