Thursday, June 18, 2020
www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 19, Number 19
COMMENCEMENT 2020
Grads urged to embrace, not fear, the unexpected By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
Helena Yawin, valedictorian of Plainville High School's class of 2020, speaking behind a makeshift podium Friday night set up on the edge of her school's parking lot, issued a challenge to her fellow classmates.
An estimated 400 people attended the “Plainville Unity March,” held June 5. Photo by Corey Lynn Tucker, coreylynntuckerphotography.com
Protestors making their voices heard
“As we step into this next phase of our lives, we have the chance to decide what we want the world to be,” Yawin said. “We can ignore these issues and pretend that everything will return to normal, or we can rise to the challenge and mold the world into what we want it to be.
See Grads, A2
The May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department has sparked nationwide protests which show no signs of dissipating.
Plainville Town Councilor Christopher Wazorko told the 160-member Plainville High School Class of 2020: “You've been tested far more than anyone expected when the year began and you have aced it.” Photos by Patrick Matthews
Resident Sarah Doyle helped spearhead the gathering, which included a one-mile march from the Municipal Center to Norton Park, where various speakers addressed the crowd.
“I’ve never organized any type of rally, or march, or protest in the past,” said Across the U.S. – and right Doyle, who worked with in our own backyard – citi- fellow resident Monique zens have taken to the Jones-Pelletier to pull the streets to show support for Unity March together. the Black Lives Matter “It’s one of those things: movement and to stand Be the change you want to against racism. see in the world. So if I don’t want my little comThe “Plainville Unity March,” held June 5, drew hundreds of attendees. See Protestors, A5
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“So I challenge all of you to look at the next years of your life with a different lens then when entering high school: instead of fearing the unexpected, demand it, because when we stop fearing change then we can truly move forward,” Yawin said, addressing the gathering
By Nick Carroll The Plainville Citizen