By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – For the first time in two years, Marshfield High School on May 29 held a graduation ceremony, and for the first time in decades, the ceremony was held outdoors at the new Heiting Community Stadium on the MHS campus.

Tara Bhat is recognized as one of the academic top 5 percent. Kris Leonhardt photo

Under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s, 283 seniors received their diplomas, during a ceremony to which only family members were invited.  Students sat in white chairs which were socially distanced across the southern half of the field, as a high-definition video board showed the ceremonies to the crowd from the south end zone.

The ceremony was a rare occurrence for the district. Outdoor graduation ceremonies were common in the days of McKinley High School in the early part of the 20th century, and were somewhat routine throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s at Beell Stadium, on what was then the High School campus. But since the school moved to its current location in the late 60s, the MHS Fieldhouse, one of the largest of its kind in the state, has hosted the annual commencement exercises.

Principal Mike Nicksic recognized a senior class whose final years were “altered unlike any class before.”

“They handled their less than ideal senior year with poise, dignity, understanding, and naturally a great amount of disappointment. Times as these can defeat a person or they can be an opportunity to build character, courage, resiliency, and determination,” he said.

Principal Mike Nicksic introduces the students speakers. Kris Leonhardt photo

“I believe that I speak for our entire faculty when I say that the positive energy and engagement they came to school with; they met and passed this challenge with flying colors and is a testament to the class act that is 2021.”

During the ceremony, 16 seniors were recognized for finishing in the academic top five-percent of their class, including: Allie Bacholl, Adam Zee, Tara Bhat, Lillie Boero, Sary Bseiso, Mo Edwards, Dehlia Kilty, Matthew McEwen, Emily Sautebin, Anna Weis, Ian Brunson, Ethan Dagit, Allison Geiger, Alejandro Mayagoitia, Morgan Meyer, and Parker Weik.

More photos in gallery below.

Photo Gallery

Kris Leonhardt photos