It was truly a landmark year for the class of 2020. Throughout the U.S. classes have dealt with new forms of graduation unseen in modern times, including drive-through graduation and virtual graduation. Luckily for the seniors at Dunkirk High School due to Gov. Andrew Cuomo lifting some restrictions in New York State, the class of 2020 was able to take part in an outdoor graduation ceremony Sunday.

As families filled the bleachers at Karl Hoeppner Field, the graduates, all decked out in maroon, strode onto the field, minding social distancing guidelines and wearing face masks the whole time.

Master of Ceremonies Michael Burnett welcomed the class, congratulating them for overcoming their unusual circumstances.

“Your class is truly remarkable,” Burnett stated. “I can think of no greater achievement, one that will surely go down in history, an unbeatable mark. In the words of Trevor Skelly ‘we are the greatest senior skip day winners of all time.’ Time has a way of giving you perspective and closure as you get older and the stories you tell about these achievements will get a little more grandiose. The point here is that in time you will come to appreciate all of this.”

Complete story in Monday’s OBSERVER.