It was near perfect weather for Broadalbin-Perth’s outdoor commencement ceremony on Patriot Field as members of the community celebrated graduating seniors in the Class of 2021 on Friday, June 25. B-P Senior High School Principal Mark Brooks emceed the ceremony, with Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson, B-P Board of Education President Stephen Syzdek and Assistant Principal Adam Barnhart handing out diplomas to 125 members of the graduating class.
PHOTOS – Graduation photos have been posted to the district’s Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3h7Q98M
VIDEO – The commencement ceremony was live streamed and a replay can be viewed on the district’s Facebook page: https://bit.ly/2UcgXx8
Highlights of the ceremony included:
- Five graduates who are enlisting in the U.S. military — Jeanell Cook, Alexis Johnson, Mackenzie O’Connor, Collin Peck, and Michael Siegle — led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- The Star Spangled Banner was performed acapella by three B-P students — graduating seniors Michaela Staie and Alexis Rodriguez, and junior Kate Szumowski — under the direction of chorus teacher Alex Hitrick.
- The Broadalbin-Perth concert band, under the direction of Michael Graves, performed the theme from “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates processed onto Patriot Field.
- Individual student speeches were given by valedictorian Kelsey Hinderliter, salutatorian Lilian Mitchell and class co-treasurer Aubrey Jennings.
- Tomlinson and Syzdek also addressed the Class of 2021 with inspirational speeches filled with advice and encouragement.
- The song “Expectations for a Class Affected by COVID for the Class of 2021” was performed by graduating senior Michaela Staie, who wrote both the music and lyrics for the original piece.
![two teenaged girls wearing red graduation cap and gowns with red, white and blue flower leis and a yellow cord wrapped draped over their shoulders stand outside the B-P school.]()
Salutatorian Lilian Mitchell, valedictorian Kelsey Hinderliter ![five graduates wearing red and blue graduation caps and gowns surround a B-P podium as they lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegience]()
Five graduation seniors from the class of 2021 who are enlisting in the U.S. military, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegience ![three teenaged girls stand behind microphones in an outdoorsetting]()
Left to right, graduate Alexis Rodriguez, B-P junior Kate Szumowski and graduate Michaela Staie perform an acapella version of the Star Spangled Banner ![two men wearing black graduation gowns and sunglasses walk down the aisle in an outdoor setting]()
Left to right, B-P Board of Education President Stephen Syzdek and Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson lead the processional for the graduating class of 2021 ![a male graduate shows his decorated cap which features the American flag and the saying "don't tread on me"]()
![a graduation cap is decorated with a blue and green globe and the saying "teach the change you wish to see"]()
![a group of six graduates, three male and three female, pose together in their graduation gowns outside of a brick building]()
![two male graduates wearing blue gowns flank a female graduate wearing a red cap and gown]()
![four female graduates wearing red graduation caps and gowns pose outside]()
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