2020 George Bailey Graduations

I recently read an essay in Grown and Flown that called this year's graduations reminiscent of the final scene in It's a Wonderful Life where George Bailey realizes he has friends, which is the most important part of life.

Ashley with her show parent

I'll get into the meat of the story in a moment, but first a picture from when Ashley was Zuzu in Somerset Valley Players' 2009 production of It's a Wonderful Life.

In the movie the community shows up for George because George always showed up for them. You leave with a tear in your eyes and feeling good because no matter how miserable you think your life is, there are people who care about you. 

As Clarence the Angel said, "Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends."  

Throughout these months Ashley has stayed close to her friends. They often watch movies online "together." I picture the Class of 2020 swapping stories about this year, no matter where they went to high school. "What did you lose out on in 2020?" Will be a question they will share stories about as they make new friends in college and when they start their careers. A bonding experience, even though they were apart.

Clarence also says: "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves and awful hole, doesn't he?" 

It is as if the school felt the giant hole left when they realized the Class of 2020 would never grace the halls as students again. So they stepped up. They found ways to make senior year special. I heard countless stories of teachers and coaches driving to their students' homes to deliver gifts and awards. 

I feel as if Notre Dame was the first school in this area to give each senior a lawn sign -- a project that spread to just about every high school senior, then to 8th grade, grade school, kindergarten, and pre-school graduate. You can't drive more than a block without seeing a handful of these signs.

Ashley's school still put on the Spring Show, held Senior Awards Night, and had a wonderful photo shoot for graduation. Teachers sent her letters saying their good-byes, too. Chebra, the Tech guy, must be exhausted. 

Quoted in the article: "Seniors have watched their communities come together for them" It continues to say "You witnessed humanity."

Yes, it was different, and not what anyone wanted, but across the country you can see schools tried their hardest to make this milestone special. We saw staff and teachers also hurt that they couldn't give the seniors all those rites of passage they should have had, and now will never get.

My senior wouldn't wish this senior year on future classes, frankly I think everyone would be burnt out if this became the new standard. Everyone tried to be upbeat for the seniors, and being sad when they weren't around, but when we went for Swag Bag pick up days, there was sadness in their eyes. 

Educators like to be around students. While wonderful they could teach virtually, they prefer to see their students (exceptions to every statement, of course). Students and teachers missed those little moments, but they know their teachers really care about them.

The graduates had their "George Bailey Moment." May they all have a wonderful life.