Graduating seniors and their families celebrated a year of challenges and perseverance at the Hoquiam High School 2021 graduation ceremony held on Sunday at Olympic Stadium.
The skies cleared as the students made their way to their socially distanced seating on the grass field at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony was extended this year because the school was unable to hold its annual Class Day, where academic and sports awards and scholarships and other honors are normally given.
Graduating students were allowed eight tickets each for family members, who were seated to give them a view of their student and socially distanced between family groups. Students and families in the stands remained masked throughout the ceremony.
This year’s address to the graduates was delivered by Dr. Robert Mandich. Mandich graduated Hoquiam High School in 1957, going on to get his dentistry degree at the University of Washington in 1964. In 2004, he created a fund with the Grays Harbor Community Foundation for scholarships for Hoquiam students, providing a $7,500 renewable award annually.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Hoquiam High School seniors find their seats at Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Students were allowed eight tickets each, with families socially distanced and masked in the stands.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Hoquiam High School’s newest class of graduates tosses its mortarboards into the air at the conclusion of the 2021 graduation ceremony at Olympic Stadium Sunday.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Students exchange a fist bump as one waits for her name to be called and the other returns to his seat with his diploma.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Students exchange a fist bump as one waits for her name to be called and the other returns to his seat with his diploma.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Hoquiam High School seniors find their seats at Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Students were allowed eight tickets each, with families socially distanced and masked in the stands.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Hoquiam High School’s newest class of graduates tosses its mortarboards into the air at the conclusion of the 2021 graduation ceremony at Olympic Stadium Sunday.
