Class of 2020: Buchanan High School
Buchanan High School 2020 Graduation Speeches
Speaker: Caleb Helsel
Good evening, Buchanan students, family, friends, and faculty. Thank you for being with us for this unconventional graduation; whether you are a student or a parent, a grandparent watching from afar, or a friend or family member watching online, this is definitely a first for all of us. I’d like to begin with a heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who has supported us through the years. We are all here today because of you, because of your love and support.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good speech, so I am very proud to stand before you today as the class speaker. Prior to the school closures, our graduation theme was “Visionary”... A visionary is someone who can see a future that others cannot. The great visionaries of the past like Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Rosa Parks had the ability and the will to envision a brighter, freer, and more prosperous tomorrow. But no one would say that their roads were easy, no one would say that they did not face challenges. And here lies what I believe to be this year’s true theme, a word that describes our class more than any other...persistence.
There is no quality on earth that can take the place of persistence. Persistence is the choice to keep going when times are tough, to keep moving forward in spite of new obstacles, to identify new paths when the old paths are no longer available. Our class is marked by persistence. Most of us came into existence in the shadow of 9/11, we experienced the passing of our beloved English teacher, Mr. Ed Folsom, and now we face the challenge of a global pandemic. But just like we have in the past, we will rise again, persistent. We have proven that we are strong, we have proven that we can take a hit, we have proven that we can keep going, and we will keep going.
In these times, it’s important to remember what we’ve done, what we’ve accomplished. When researching accomplishments for this speech, I was blown away by the countless accolades of our class. Whether it’s the Chairman’s Award-winning Robotics team with back to back World Championship invites, a team of wrestlers who just won their fifth consecutive State title, a Drama program who recently won their second consecutive Sweepstakes Award, or the Girls’ Cross Country team who won the Division 1 State Championship for the first time in Central Section History. In addition, Vincent Wang is a prestigious National Merit Scholar, and David Angulo brought home yet another National Emmy Award. The list goes on. Despite our shortened year, the Class of 2020 and Buchanan High School have many accomplishments to their name, a tribute to both our persistence and our insistence on excellence.
The Coronavirus took many precious times from us: prom, the Ambiance fashion show, Grad Nit. But it could never take away our spirit. And I know a thing or two about spirit. But, I don’t mean spirit like rallies or sporting events, I mean the spirit found in all who share this school’s crowded halls. The confidence we were given every day, the feeling that we were a part of a greater Buchanan community, and the knowledge that our teachers and staff cared about us and worked to prepare us for the road beyond high school. We will always remember how it felt to go to practice with friends, to watch a valley championship game, to attend a Bear Stage performance, to ace a final exam, to be a Bear. It is our persistence that allows us to achieve and grow and that will carry us through this crisis and on to our own brighter, freer, more prosperous tomorrow. It is our spirit that has given us these memories and grants us hope in these times of turmoil. Years from now, we will talk about COVID-19 and the lockdown, but we will also remember the feeling that we, together, were Bear Nation.
Principal’s note
The theme for the Class of 2020 is “Visionary” and I cannot think of a better person to represent this theme than the namesake of our school Dr. Floyd B. Buchanan. Doc Buchanan had a vision for Clovis Unified and developed a school district unlike any other in the state of California. He embraced high standards for all students and created a culture of competition and accountability. Doc charged everyone to strive to be their best and push themselves out of their comfort zones in order to reach their full potential. He did not look at difficult situations as obstacles, but opportunities for individuals to achieve greatness. The Class of 2020 has done the same with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Each of you has continued to push forward to achieve your goals and ensured your classmates were not left behind.
Over the past four years the Class of 2020 has epitomized Doc’s vision. Your class has achieved greatness in the classroom and co-curricular programs at the local, state, national, and global levels. Each of you has been a cut above the rest and demonstrated teamwork and trust with your peers. The characteristics and traits you have displayed during your time at Buchanan High School will help guide you through your future endeavors.
Class of 2020… you will carry on the vision of Doc Buchanan. I have no doubt the way you live your lives will have a positive impact on the rest of the world. On behalf of Buchanan High School we are truly grateful for the legacy you have left for future bears. Congratulations to the 26th graduating class of Buchanan High School. We are very proud of you.
Joe Aiello
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.