The Class of 2016 Bids Farewell to NAHS
Devin Morse gives her final wave to the NAHS audience.
June 21, 2016
It’s official, the Norristown Area High School Class of 2016 is graduated. As happens every year, in the beginning of June the seniors don their blue and white caps and gowns for graduation. Any faculty member will tell you that the day of graduation swirls with excitement and is the favorite day for many of us. This is not because, as some might imagine, teachers will not see these students again. Rather it is because they are thrilled to see the sense of accomplishment that these new graduates wear in their smiles, waves, and teary-eyed thank yous as they culminate their high school experience through this right of passage.
The underclassmen recognize that the altered schedule and early day is all in preparation for the graduation ceremony and chatter over how theirs will be in just a few short years. Adding to the excitement and preparations this year, the art department started a new tradition of chalk murals for both the graduates and their guests to enjoy as they entered the building (see accompanying story at nahswingspan.com). Administrators and school board members are suited up in their academic attire and some faculty and staff join the Faculty Choir for the “Star Spangled Banner” or the orchestra and band in the pit. During graduation, the NAHS family bands together to meet our families and guests with proud grins as they find their seats, enjoy the ceremony, and make their exits to meet their firmly established graduate after it ends.
The tradition of the ceremony is passed on from year to year and class to class through the Key of Knowledge, and the betrothed cap and gown as well as the earmarks of any graduation ceremony including an inspiring speech from the class Valedictorian, Crystal Assenmacher, and a sentimental look back from the class Salutatorian, Terell Dale.
The Class of 2016 did an amazing job under the guidance of Mr. Doyle and the other faculty members of the graduation committee. Their last unified action as a class was an astounding rendition of the NAHS Alma Mater that filled the auditorium with Norristown Pride.
