Together Again – Community’s All the Things Day
On June 1, Community High School (CHS) students reunited for a day filled with in-person forum hangouts and a senior send-off. It was the first time in over a year since most forums had met together in-person.
Forums were split up between various Ann Arbor parks for outdoor activities. Some played games such as Kickball and Mafia, others played in the river or sat on basketball courts catching up after a long separation.
After most students had left, sunburnt but happy, the CHS class of 2021 stuck around for a send-off. Students and teachers gathered on the school’s front lawn to celebrate the seniors and send them off on a high note.
“Right now it feels like it did my freshman year,” said graduating senior Aidan Griswold. “The first three weeks after we first came to school, we were always eating lunch on the back lawn, everyone was out. It was a sunny, beautiful day every day and everyone was just having a great time. That’s kind of what it feels like right now.”
Seniors were each given a carnation as a symbol of many things, including gratitude from the deans of the perseverance seniors showed.
“According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, flowers as symbols have different meanings in different cultures all over the world,” Assistant Dean Rebecca Westrate said. “They may symbolize love, good wishes and affection. But they also might represent emblems of change, growth, and sometimes even love. Whatever your meaning today as you receive your flower, we hope you reflect on the hard work that you have done to get to this point in your life. Work done, not only by you, but then also your forum leaders or teachers, staff, and families. Remember all of those who made a difference in your high school career, and please thank them.”
Also there was beloved former CHS teacher Judith Dewoskin, who came back this year to teach a virtual Community Resource class on womens’ literature to two students. She says although the students she knows hate Zoom classes, she enjoyed it and found use in the ways she could quickly contact and talk with students even while at home.
“It was at 8:30 in the morning and I was in my study and my husband always brought me coffee,” She said. “And you know what, he never once brought me coffee when I taught in room 303. So this was great because he always brought coffee, and then at the end, we celebrated, the students and I, by going to Zingerman’s for lunch and hanging out. It was lovely.”
Students left for the last time carrying zebra-striped gift bags and ready to go off to whatever next steps were planned.
“I think that this group of people are going to change the world,” said Olivia Wylie, a Community Spanish teacher. “I really do. I haven’t felt that way. I’ve taught for 40 years. I never felt that way before. But when I listen to these kids and their views and how progressive they are and where they’re going, I think they’re going to change the world.”
