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Graduation: A bittersweet ending to high school Continued from Page 1 Each student will get a sign with their name in the vehi- cle’s front window and many students will bring family members with them and dec- orate their cars and caps. It’s not a parade exactly, high school officials warn, but an orderly procession in which the community can come out and cheer them on. The students will drive through the bus barn area June 5, 2020 T he C olumbia P ress 10 and be directed one-by-one onto John Mattila Field, as “Pomp and Circumstance” is played by senior band mem- bers via livestream. Once on the field, the stu- dent will be allowed to get out, pick up a diploma and have a photo taken. There will be no handshakes. “This is a good class – aca- demically strong, athletically strong, civic-minded,” Heyen said. “I got into this job for the relationships, for seeing the kids on day-to-day basis. Not being able to do that is killing me.” Students also realize it’s a tough but significant time in their and the world’s history. “Honestly, it’s a lot of mixed emotions,” senior Natalie Os- eguera said. “It’s taught me to always expect the unex- pected. We’ve dreamed about graduation since Day One and, although it’s not like a regular graduation, it will definitely be one to remem- ber!” Each senior will get a pro- fessional photo and a copy of the entire ceremony on DVD, which includes a welcome from Heyen, the national an- them sung by Isabella Mor- rill, speeches by Valedictori- ans Isabella Morrill and Kaisa Liljenwall and Salutatorian Thomas Atwood, and the se- nior slideshow – a WHS tra- dition that includes photos of each student as a child and as a senior. “I’m very sad about how the school year turned out and how the Class of 2020 are unable to have our prom and our traditional graduation,” Josie Posey said. “I am very glad that we are able to do a drive-through graduation on our original date.” No one should have to end their high school career this way, senior Connor Carretta said. “This class of ours was some of the brightest students I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending my high school ca- reer with,” he said. “The fact that we don’t get a ‘proper’ graduation is a big letdown for all of us.” The end of high school is a bittersweet affair for Kale Moss. “I don’t get my final mo- ments with some of the peo- ple who made me who I am,” he said. “I’m not going to lie, it is really sad. But there is a bright side, just as there is in every bad situation anyone ever goes through. For the rest of our lives, everyone in this year’s graduating class will have a unique connection with each other.” Athlete Kenzie Ramsey said she has no regrets. “Honestly, I don’t really care about the walking or the ceremony, just the actual be- ing graduated part of it,” she said. “Grades were important to me, but I’ve gone through high school valuing the sports I’ve played, so I’m pretty ful- filled with my four years (ex- cept missing out on softball this year). I’m just ready to get that paper to make it of- ficial and move on to the next AGENDA CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WARRENTON MEETING TUESDAY June 9, 2020 – 6:00 P.M. Warrenton City Commission Chambers – 225 South Main Avenue Warrenton, OR 97146 This is a Preliminary Agenda. A final Agenda and full meeting packet will be available on the City’s website at www.ci.warrenton.or.us and at City Hall after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2020. • PUBLIC HEARINGS Street Vacation – Section of SE 15th Place • BUSINESS ITEMS Consideration of Conditions of Use Authorization – Forest Rim Neighborhood Park Consideration of Nuisance Determination – 838 E. Harbor Dr. Consideration of Budget Adjustment – Resolution No. 2569; Com- munity Development Application Processing Fees Consideration of Safe Routes to School – Letter of Intent • • DISCUSSION ITEMS Updating City Park Ordinance – No Smoking Utility Bills/Water Shut offs • • • • Warrenton City Hall is accessible to the disabled. An interpreter for the hearing impaired may be requested under the terms of ORS 192.630 by contacting Dawne Shaw, City Recorder, at 503-861-0823 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting so appropriate assistance can be provided.