Story and photos by Chris Barber

The foreshadowing of a possible thunderstorm halfway through graduation on Friday was no match for the love the Kennett Consolidated School District has for its outdoor ceremonies and the high school’s majestic front steps.

The administration went ahead with the al fresco celebration in early evening even as menacing clouds hovered overhead and thunder rumbled in the distance.  At 6 p.m. the school’s orchestra initiated its live presentation of “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the evening was on its way.

The scene the audience was treated to was striking, with administration, staff and students proceeding arm-in-arm in pairs down those revered steps.

The community has historically held that procession in high regard as a valued Kennett Square tradition.

There was some talk among spectators early in the evening about the air quality and pollution which had settled itself on the region two nights earlier, but that too had largely abated in time for Kennett’s event.

At the start, more than 300 graduating seniors took their seats on the front lawn and greeted their classmate Emiliano Rodriguez, who was charged with leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Emiliano, however, had plenty extra to say beforehand.

“We did it!” he exclaimed. Thanking his friends, teachers and parents, he added, “You have taught us who we are.”

There were five student speakers, including Class President Britney Sadano, who was later awarded the Advisor’s Cup.

She reviewed the ups and downs of their four years in the high school, including the interruptions caused by COVID-19. She also offered thanks to teachers, family and friends.

“No one has reached this achievement alone,” she said.

Then she added a poignant message that many in her class could relate to: “My parents came here from Mexico to give their family a better life,” she said.

A large segment of the senior class has Mexican roots with more than 40 percent of the district’s student body reported to be Hispanic.

The student speakers who followed delivered their remarks based on the subjects of appreciation, exploration, communication and illumination, in that order.

Luke Sandusky, on the subject of appreciation, said the movie “High School Musical” was not the model of life at Kennett High School. And yet, Kennett High School has its own charm, stories and characters. “It is its own High School Musical,” he said.

Sandusky added, “Kennett was not glamorized in this movie. And yet, our musical is right in front of your eyes.  . . .Don’t take things for granted. Real life has given us so much beauty.” 

On the subject of exploration, Blake Ciresa said Kennett enabled class members to find their identity. “It has become part of us. Kennett has helped us find our passion. We will always be ourselves as Kennett students,” she said.

Matthew Wilson, who was later awarded the school’s highest honor, The Rupert Cup, spoke on the topic of communication said understanding. He said it goes in both directions among people -- giving and receiving. “Listen to one another to learn and overcome challenges,” he said.

Addressing illumination, Paul Mullin spoke on the effect they will have on the future. “We will share our light with others, and our light will illuminate the world.”

He added, “The light of Kennett goes on with us. Teachers were the mirrors that reflected our light.”

Assistant Principal Jeffrey Thomas announced that the members of the senior class had earned $89.2 million in future college scholarships with more added from alumni contributions.

Assistant Principal Duane Kotz announced each senior individually as they processed up the steps, received their diplomas on stage, posed for pictures and returned to their seats.

Even as they proceeded with the awarding of the diplomas, faint thunder rumbled in the distance and the local fire trucks drove by, sirens blowing, responding to a smoldering mulch nearby.

Alexa Pizzini, a Kennett Middle School teacher who herself is a graduate of the high school, welcomed the new graduates to the alumni association.

Principal Lorenzo DeAngelis had a special relationship with them because he knew the members of the Class of 2023 when he was previously the principal of Kennett Middle School. When he assumed the role of high school principal this year, they were there as his former students.

He told them he always felt, “This class was destined to shine,” ever since he first met them in sixth grade.

“Don’t ever forget where you came from,” he said.

Many of the parents brought balloons and flowers for their graduating children.

The Kennett High School Orchestra, under the direction of Jessica Williams, provided the live musical accompaniment to the processional march with “Pomp and Circumstance” and the recessional with “La Rejouissance.”