May 24, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
The Hingham High School Class of 2022 in-person graduation on June 4 is a cause for celebration following two challenging years when students lost valuable time they could have spent together due to the pandemic.
Despite the challenges, Class President Luke Macdonald told the Hingham Anchor that "it seems like our class has gotten closer throughout our time at the high school. This has allowed us to view school as less of an environment involving stress and competition."
Luke is "incredibly proud" of his fellow seniors, not just because of how they responded to certain challenges at the school, but because of what they have done "to try to make an impact on the school and beyond."
For instance, the class helped raise money for the Anna Quinlivan Scholarship Fund and dedicated events and school days to Anna and her legacy in Hingham.
Hingham Civic Music Theatre started a scholarship fund earlier in memory of Anna, who found her home away from home working as part of the backstage crew for HHS Drama Club productions and HCMT plays and had planned to pursue a career in backstage theater.
Anna passed away on July 31, 2020, from cardiac arrest following a run, just three weeks after her 16th birthday. This would have been her senior year at HHS.
The Class of 2022 also collaborated to help those impacted by the recent invasion of Ukraine. In one week, students donated more than $1,000 to the non-profit Sunflower of Peace, a Boston-based organization currently sending medical supplies to the Ukrainian front lines, Luke shared. "Efforts such as these have demonstrated to me that our seniors are hoping to graduate next month leaving the high school a better place than when they first came here."
Class Secretary Cara Chiappinelli said the graduating class is "really special because of the group bond our class made in such a short period of time. We lost practically two years of the regular high school experience, which meant two years of lost funding, two years of lost memories, and two years of lost friendships," she said.
While it's often noted that students tend to come together in their senior year, Cara was worried that wouldn't happen with the Class of 2022 due to COVID. She was pleasantly surprised at the "heartwarming" experience last fall, and continuing into this Spring, of seeing "our class unite!"
Class Treasurer Zeke Ader remarked, "What a memorable four years the Class of 2022 has gone through at Hingham High! Obviously COVID was a big challenge to all of us, but this year -- now that most things have gone back to normal -- our class has reconnected well with the community."
Examples of this are senior participation in events such as Homecoming and the Anna Quinlivan Memorial Dog Walk, "which showed how committed our class is to creating a strong community in our school. It’s been an honor to be one of our class leaders, and I know every member of the Class of 2022 will do great things in the future," Zeke said.
The other class officers are Chris Hern, vice president, and Class Representative Deirdre O'Donnell.
Principal Rick Swanson noted that the high school experience of this group of seniors has been unique from all others who have gone before them. "In many ways, it has been different from what any of them expected or envisioned and, because of the pandemic, has brought unprecedented challenges," he said. "Still, I am struck by how many lasting memories have been made, and I remain moved by the ways the Class of 2022 has made a positive difference in our community. Their resilience and positive energy have enabled them to make the best of extremely difficult circumstances. In doing so, they have assured their legacy and left a very positive mark on our school."
Even before they wore their red “Seniors” T-shirts for the first time last fall, Swanson said he was filled with hope that their senior year would bring "lots of progress, the return of cherished traditions, and many unforgettable memories."
Those hopes have largely been fulfilled, he said, thanks in no small part to the many contributions of the graduating seniors.
"There are more than 300 students in the Class of 2022, and as a group, they have established a reputation for excellence, service, and spirit. They have made our school a better place, we're very proud of them, and we're going to miss them!" Swanson said.
Seniors will have one more opportunity to spend time all together as a class at the Senior Night party June 4 and 5, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. -- celebrating their many successes despite the challenges.