More than 300 Marion High School graduates received their diplomas Thursday night in a commencement ceremony at Patriot Stadium.
The Class of 2021 was honored with a ceremony that included a welcome message from Senior Class President Meredith Jeannette Whited, remarks from Superintendent Glen Fenter, and the awarding of diplomas by Principal Paul Johnston and members of the Marion School District Board of Directors.
“I have nothing but pride for the members of the Class of 2021,” said Johnston. “Attending high school during a global pandemic is not something that any of us could ever have imagined. Yet these students persevered and made it to the end. I am confident that the things they have experienced and the lessons they have learned these past few years will guide them well in the years ahead.”
Thursday’s ceremony also included the recognition of honors graduates, including those earning summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude recognition.
Nearly 2,000 family and friends were on hand to watch the ceremony. Capacity was limited in order to maintain social distancing guidelines recommended because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. For those unable to attend the event, the ceremony was live-streamed at marionpatriots.com and through the Marion Patriots Mascot Media app.
“It’s been a long year, and it was rewarding for our seniors to get the recognition they deserve,” Johnston said. “It was a great night.”
