GSHS Class of 2020 Celebrated an Intimate Ceremony Friday

GRAND SALINE—The Grand Saline Independence School District ended their 2020 School year with a Graduation Ceremony last Friday night to close the chapter on a year that posed several academic challenges. Those challenges however did not stop the district from seeing off the senior class in proper fashion.

The Grand Saline High School Senior Class of 2020 had 76 graduates, 74 of whom walked the stage Friday night. Several weeks ago GSISD Superintendent Micah Lewis told the Grand Saline Sun that the district would follow all necessary safety and health guidelines for events such as the graduation and the upcoming summer school. Those social distancing measures were obvious as the seating arrangements took a much different look than in years past.

The event was held on Carter Elliott Field, and students sat one per row with family members by their side as opposed to the graduates in one large cluster per the normal arrangement. The ceremony was broadcast live as it has been the past few years. This year the Indian Memorial stadium did not have the overwhelming crowd to watch the event in person, but pomp and circumstance to celebrate the accomplishments of these students was not lacking in the slightest. Only reserved seating was permitted, forcing other attendees into the ceremony online.

The 2020 Grand Saline High School graduating class was led by top graduates, Valedictorian Gavin Foster and Salutatorian Delana Meyer. Rounding out the top ten were Gavin Foster, Delana Meyer, Sara Elliott, Fernando Sanchez, Lauren Chandler, Savannah Sauseda, Dylan Steinbach, Cameron Lowe, Grant Lewis and J’Cea Melton.

Also graduating were several students who earned associate degrees through the TJC Promise program that is offered through Grand Saline High School in cooperation with Tyler Junior College. Those students were Lauren Chandler, Sara Elliott, Gavin Foster, Martin Gonzales, Grant Lewis, Jose Lopez, J’Cea Melton, Delana Meyer, Joslin Miller, Sarah Roach, Fernando Sanchez, Dixie Savage and Morgan Stilwell.

Mason Perritt took his oath to enlist in the united states air force as he followed a noble calling to serve his country.

Though the year may have posed challenges for the young men and women, to achieve and succeed was not an option to be denied. Friday night they walked the first steps to many differing career paths, but they proved that no obstacle was too big to stand in their way of success as they overcame a world wide pandemic and completed a senior year that no other class in history has experienced. They made stepping stones out of stumbling blocks, and now aiming higher as they start new chapters in life.