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Green & Gold
Volume XXV, Issue VII
May 19, 2021
A Publication of Wesleyan School
NEWS
Wesleyan says goodbye to to departing faculty. Page 3
EDITORIAL
FEATURES
Page 2
Page 6
Thanks for the memories!
The best of Wesleyan as voted by seniors.
SPORTS
Spring sports wrap up their seasons. Page 9
Wesleyan hosts graduation for the class of 2021 Carson Schiller As the end of May approaches, faculty, seniors, and the rest of the Wesleyan community get ready for graduation which will take place Saturday May 22 at 8:30 a.m. on Adler Plaza located on the quad. Baccalaureate will take place the day before on May 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the same location as graduation and will have more of an outside chapel-like feel to it. Last year, due to COVID, the class of 2020 did not get to experience throwing their caps on the quad, but the graduation staff has worked hard to allow this traditional location to host the class of 2021’s graduation ceremony this year. Looking behind the scenes of graduation, facilities and housekeeping work hard in preparation for the ceremony whether that be carrying the hundreds of white chairs from a truck bed to even cleaning off each chair individually the morning of. Director of Special Events Rebecca Kennedy said, “The set up on the lawn is one of my favorite aspects of our graduation ceremony here. The white chairs and the banners make it gorgeous. I will say though, we have had to hold graduation inside Yancy Gym for two years, and it was still beautiful. I feel like that confirmed that the community here is just so strong. Having the graduates surrounded by family, friends, and people who have walked along side of them in this journey is truly special.” May 19 at 8 a.m., a truck full of all of the rental chairs arrives and facilities start setting them up along with hanging the three banners: Class of 2021, Wesleyan crest, and the JOY moto. On May 20, the stage is then popped up, so that the following day, May 21, seniors can have their graduation practice. Housekeeping and a smaller group of faculty members, including Kennedy, arrive at 6 a.m. the day of graduation the make the final touches by wiping down all the chairs and getting the technology set up and tested. Associate Head of School Ramona Blankenship is in charge of checking the diplomas while Director of Christian Life Greg Lisson checks all the Bibles.
The schedule for the graduation ceremony starts early as Lasting Legacy Families, families who have 2021 graduates along with either alumni, a board member, faculty, or past board members and faculty, come and take pictures together outside on the lawn around 7 a.m. At 7:30 a.m., seniors line up alphabetically according to where their hats are on the floor in Marchman Gym. Morgan will take a class picture on the lawn at 7:45 a.m. The class then goes to the Fine Arts building where Lisson says a prayer over the class before they graduate. While seniors are getting lined up, families gather around the quad and take their seats for the ceremony. The ceremony traditionally starts with a bagpiper, and this year it will be Noah Young ’17. He will lead the class out in the processional. Senior girls’ grade chair Kendra Morris said, “We have the class president and chaplain at the front, and they are the ones who carry the Wesleyan banner and flag.” Joining them at the front with the banner and flag with be Valedictorian Maggie Simmons and Salutatorian Isabella Martin. Traditionally, the faculty makes two lines for the class to go through, but this year it will just be the high school faculty who will lead the way for the class to their seats. As for speakers, Head of School Chris Cleveland addresses the crowd and turns over the microphone to Simmons and Martin for their speeches. This year’s graduation speaker is Sean Taylor, father of senior Rosie Taylor and Baccalaureate speaker is Franklin Pridgen, high school social sciences teacher and father of senior Alden Pridgen. After all the speeches, Cleveland and high school principal Joseph Koch pass out the engraved Bibles to the seniors along with their diploma. Students then throw their hats into the air to conclude the ceremony. In order to prevent the spread of COVID, Morris said, “We have been working with the parents to determine how many seats each family needs for both baccalaureate and graduation. We are offering the option to have a pod of seats separate from general seat-
ing or general seating, which will put them closer to the front.” In each pod, families will be allowed to sit close together and permitted to not wear a mask. Although previous years have allowed an open invitation to anyone who is a part of the Wesleyan community, only families and their pods are allowed to attend. Morris said, “We are trying to provide a way for families to feel comfortable and away from everyone else if they want to be.” Kennedy said, “Mr. Cleveland will be shaking each student’s hand as he presents him/her with his/her Bible and diploma on stage.” Chief Op-erating Officer Brian Morgan will take the picture of each senior holding the diploma individually on stage. Graduation is a special event for all seniors, faculty, and families to celebrate the legacy the class of 2021 has left on the school along with best wishes for them in the future. Reflecting on past years, Kennedy said, “My favorite part about Wesleyan graduation is hands down the bagpipes. I also enjoy listening to Mr. Lisson pray over the class.” Thank you to Kennedy, Morris, senior boys’ grade chair Adam Griffin, facilities, and housekeeping for working hard to host this event. Seniors, congratulations on all your many successes throughout your years at Wesleyan and may God bless you in the future which ever path you choose to take!
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Congratulations, Class of 2021!