They left for spring break on March 12 and didn’t return again due to restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was no prom, no spring concerts or sports, and course work was finished online.

It was not the senior year that they had envisioned, but on Sunday, the students had a chance to celebrate their accomplishments with a commencement ceremony at the Webster City High School competition gym.

With chairs placed a socially-distanced six feet apart, the more than 100 seniors entered the ceremony wearing face masks along with the traditional purple caps and gowns.

-Messenger photo by Anne Blankenship
Graduates and guests attending the Webster City commencement exercises wore masks and sat in chairs situated six feet apart. Family members were seated in groups of no more than four on the bleachers.

High School Principal Dan Johnson welcomed the seniors and families in attendance. There were a few chairs empty on the floor and several seniors were did not attend.

The ceremony was originally scheduled for May 17, but was postponed out of concern for the coronavirus.

Harper Kopriva, senior class secretary, addressed her classmates and the guests present. She thanked the administration for organizing the summer graduation ceremony and she thanked her classmates for their resilience in light of the unusual circumstances the class faced.

Garrett Whitmore was the speaker selected by the senior class. He shared thoughts on the class’ four years at Webster City High School and related how the class had managed to finish its final year and move forward.

Associate Principal Pat Farley read the names of the graduates as they crossed the stage to collect their diplomas from Superintendent Dr. Mandy Ross and school board member Richard Stroner.

-Messenger photo by Anne Blankenship
Allison Arkland smiles for a photo as she leaves the stage with her diploma at Sunday’s Webster City High School graduation ceremony.

After the ceremony, the students gathered outside for photos with family and friends. Most still maintained a social distance but the vast majority removed their masks, revealing for the first time that afternoon their smiles of joy.

-Messenger photo by Anne Blankenship
Derek Krieger is all smiles as he steps off the stage with a diploma at the Webster City High School commencement ceremony Sunday.