Congratulations Prosper High School Class of 2020! Y’all are tough…born into this world during the 9/11 era and graduating from high school during a worldwide pandemic. We understand that your Senior year didn’t end the way you had hoped. Some of you missed playing your favorite sport for the last time…you missed your Senior Walk, your Senior Prom, Senior Privilege Week, riding your bikes to school on the last day of your high school career, a traditional graduation ceremony at The Star and so, so much more. But here’s what you DIDN’T miss…you didn’t miss the love, pride and admiration of your entire town who was rooting for you and cheering you on from our living rooms. Prosper stepped up in so many ways to show you how special you are and how proud we are of the last class to graduate from Prosper ISD as a single high school district. Your senior year and your graduation may have looked very different the Class of 2019, but it was no less special. Our administration truly set the standard for the absolute BEST graduation ceremony possible during these crazy times.
The Class of 2020 celebrated their commencement ceremony on the evening of June 5, 2020 at Children’s Health Stadium. It was a beautiful night and the excitement from the students, family, faculty and administration could be felt throughout the entire town. As the crowd of socially distanced families gathered in the stands, a video of the graduate’s baby photos played on the jumbotron. The Board of Directors made their way to the stage just as the ceremony began with a flyover by vintage airplanes. Dr. Burdett, Prosper High School Principal, then took the stage to welcome the graduates. Senior Austin Mann sang the National Anthem, accompanied by blasts of fireworks.
Dr. Burdett then introduced Salutatorian Trent Johnson, who was awarded a plaque by PISD Superintendent Dr. Drew Watkins. After Johnson’s speech, Dr. Burdett then recognized the Board of Trustees and the Top 10% of the graduating class. It was then Jack Robnett’s, Class of 2020 Valedictorian, turn to take the stage. His speech was filled with encouragement for his classmates and a plea to improve our communities and one other. As Robnett left the stage, the graduates each began to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas…something that they, nor their parents, thought would be possible just a few weeks prior.
Dr. Watkins then took the stage to congratulate the students and their families…he has known many of them since they began Kindergarten at Prosper ISD. He has sent them birthday letters every year, opened their car doors in carpool, cheered them on at games and competitions, encouraged, supported and loved them throughout their time at Prosper schools. So of course, his message to them was perfect, as it always seems to be: “This was certainly not what anyone scripted to finish out your senior year. I don’t have any pearls of wisdom to offer you to answer all of life’s questions. You will have your own unique challenges in the coming months and years of your life. I will just offer this…I encourage you to work to be slow to anger and quick to forgive and be kind to all in your path.” He then began a countdown that led to all lights out and a firework show that only Prosper ISD could pull off. As the lights returned, the celebration concluded with green and white streamers and confetti pouring from the sky. It was the perfect ending to a perfect pandemic graduation ceremony!
