NHS Seniors To Receive In-Person Graduation

by Carrie Watkins

As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Niskayuna is beginning to gradually reopen. Students and staff are getting vaccinated, and plans for a COVID safe in-person graduation ceremony are underway. Niskayuna is also taking an active role in helping the community get vaccinated.

Graduation will take place at the Times Union Center in Albany on Wednesday, June 23, beginning at 6:00 PM. Schenectady County and the State Health department have set strict guidelines to ensure that the event is safe for all who attend. All attendees, both students and family members alike, will either have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to the event. The event is limited to 1500 total guests, so each student will be able to invite a maximum of four friends and family members.

The Events Staff is doing it’s best to make this year’s graduation special, despite the challenges. There will be a large LED screen at the event, so even though the audience will be spread out, all will be able to see what is happening on stage. This is also the shot that will be streamed live for those who cannot attend to watch online.

The event will also feature several student lead musical performances: Bruce Tangredi with a prelude, Ava Fallone with an original song, Gabriella Pizzolo and Dan Watson with an original song by Pizzolo, and a rock band consisting of Samuel Petreikis, Christopher Gabelman, Lucas Lynch, and Mackenzie Kirwan. It will also feature the induction of the newest member into Niskayuna’s Hall of Fame, Dan Harrison. Harrison is an executive of programming at Fox Television, where he works with highly rated and well-known programs such as the Masked Singer. He graduated with the class of 1987.

Student Activities Coordinator Vince Bianchi expressed his excitement for the event. “We were not sure this would be happening at all earlier this year. We are delighted to have the opportunity to have a live graduation with the entire class, although it has caused us a bit of extra work to conform to the state health guidelines,” he said. “We commend our families for their cooperation and understanding.” While this is certainly a change from past years, Senior Olivia Reeves expressed that she was glad that it was happening at all: “Considering the circumstances, this is the best we’re going to have.”

The day after the event, on Thursday, June 14, the screening of the Virtual Production of The Class of 2021 Graduation Celebration returns to Malta Drive-In Theater. The screening, which begins at 9:00 pm, will include both photos and videos provided by the graduating seniors, as well as the Senior Slideshow. About the event, Niskayuna High School’s homepage promises, “we also are planning a few surprises that we hope will bring a sense of joy and affection to our seniors who have bravely and heroically endured a most difficult senior year.”

In an effort to distribute vaccines to students in time for graduation, the High School will hold a vaccine clinic on Saturday, May 15th in the New Gym. Seniors and senior families were encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to be ready for graduation. Unfortunately, appointments for this date are full. Niskayuna is participating in this mass vaccination effort alongside other Schenectady County schools, including Mohonasen High School, Schalmont High School, Schenectady City High School, and Scotia Glenville High School. All of these locations will be offering the Pfizer vaccine, currently the only vaccine approved by the CDC for children ages 12 and up.