When the Class of 2020 gathered for its commencement ceremony on July 18, they knew the day would be far from traditional. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of their senior year, but there was one tradition that would live on - the senior class composite photo, which dates back to 1890.
Jeff Hughes ’79 whose daughter, Madison, was a member of the Class of 2020, came up with a plan on how to safely produce their class photo. “Because Friends is such a small, close-knit community and goes back so many years, traditions like this one carry even more significance and are a much bigger part of this school than many other schools. As an alumnus of a graduating senior, I think it probably meant even more to me personally,” said Jeff.
“What became abundantly clear throughout the months of preparing for the graduation is that this class is a family and they wanted to be represented as one,” photographer (and WFS parent) Elisa Morris said. “So much was taken from these extraordinary kids: their senior prom; their last concerts; plays; sports seasons; time with friends and teachers to bond with one another in school; and their traditional graduation and celebrations. I think the administration, teachers, parents and the WFS community were truly committed to find a way to make at least one thing seem ‘normal, joyous and traditional.’ Everyone wanted the kids to feel special. They wanted to be represented that way for posterity and in the historic photos that line the hallways of Friends graduating classes. We were committed to making that happen.”
With the help of staff members (and Class of 2020 parents) Linda Jaworski and Margaret Ann Butterfield, and with Elisa’s incredible photography and Photoshop skills, Jeff's idea on how to create the class composite became a reality. “Because they knew the Class of 2020 so well, they were able to imagine and arrange all 71 students where they would have likely been standing had they all been able to be together. Truly amazing!” said Jeff.
Using a previous senior class photo as a guide, Elisa and Jeff worked to “stitch” together eight different photos of the students posing socially distanced so it appeared that the class was all together as one. Below is the amazing end result!
I have been vegan for over a year now, and love it! Through being vegan, I have taught myself how to cook, I feel better, and I have more energy. As an athletic person, I am less sluggish during workouts, and am able to perform to the best of my ability.
In the recent upper school Chamber Singers concert, students sang “Be the Change” chosen by music teacher Margaret Anne Butterfield who noted in her introduction that the piece adapts texts of Gandhi; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; The Gospel of Matthew; and the composer, Laura Farnell, and employs a phrase in Swahili.
First graders are engaged in their new writing unit about opinion writing. Students brought in collections from home, evaluated each other's collections, and wrote opinion pieces on which item was best.
This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Hobart, Tasmania for a month-long exchange trip. The program included classes at The Friends School (TFS), a fellow Quaker school in Hobart, as well as weekend excursions throughout the island.
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.