‘We’re just getting started!’

HVRHS Class of 2021

‘We’re just getting started!’

FALLS VILLAGE — The Class of 2021 at Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s (HVRHS) graduation ceremony was as traditional as could be managed, given the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The graduation was held under a large tent on the grass in front of the high school on Thursday evening, June 17.

HVRHS Principal Ian Strever noted that the seniors specifically asked for the most traditional event, and contrasted this year’s graduation with last year’s, a drive-in event held at Lime Rock Park.

Strever praised the seniors for their adaptability and willingness to work with the administrators during the pandemic.

“Everything has been different,” he said. “And they’ve adjusted to every challenge.”

Strever said valuable lessons can be taken from the pandemic experience. 

“We learned something about control. We have a lot less of it than we think.”

Salutatorian Mia Tittmann said her success in high school was not a solo endeavor.

“I did not do it without the help of many people,” she said. “Our collective efforts will make change. Please keep working together to make this world — our world — a little brighter.”

Region One School District Superintendent Lisa Carter started by saying how nice it was to see everybody “in 3D.”

“Kudos to all of you for your perseverance and patience over the last 16 months,” she said.

And she reminded the seniors that their peers have all been through the same disruptions.

“You will be poised to rebound from this experience with confidence.”

Former class president Aidan McCarthy said that looking back, her school career “feels like a sprint.”

“We’ve had great triumphs and failures,” she continued. “And we maintained a sense of community.”

Class president Sara Upson said during the pandemic the seniors missed out on things like the prom and field trips.

But “this day isn’t about what the pandemic took from us. It’s about what we took from it.”

She said there was only one way to meet the challenges of the pandemic — or anything else: “Head on.”

Essayist Emerson Rinehart had the crowd laughing as he issued a “confession,” admitting to damaging a ceiling tile in the auditorium, promoting a rumor that a teacher was actually a “Lizard Man,” and using a bench as a toboggan, among other misdemeanors.

Commencement speaker Kianjai Huggan (HVRHS Class of 2017) told the graduates to “open yourselves up” as they move through the next phase of their lives.

She said when she first came to HVRHS from Georgia, she resisted joining the FFA.

But she did join, and counts her participation as a valuable experience.

She urged the seniors to remember that “there is so much we don’t know.”

Realizing this will “allow you to see the variability in people’s lives.”

“I am confident each of you will be an advocate for positive change.”

Valedictorian Charlotte Clulow said she struggled to find the “golden words” for her remarks, only to “realize I have yet to find answers.”

She praised her classmates for their hard work and accomplishments in and out of school.

“Are we there yet? No, we’re not. We’re just getting started.” 

Class of 2021 Awards:

Good Sportsmanship Medal: Micah Matsudaira, Marguerite Bickford

Good Citizenship Medal: Justine Allyn and Brandon Sorrell

Chamberlain Arts Achievement Award: Cassidy Knutson and Aidan McCarthy

Community Award of Merit: The faculty, staff and administration of HVRHS (accepted by Social Studies teacher Peter Vermilyea).

HVRHS Class of 2021 essayist Emerson Rinehart, left, with class salutatorian Mia Tittmann, center, and valedictorian Charlotte Clulow. Photo by Alexander Wilburn

Senior Jacob Ellington of Sharon accepted his diploma from his father (and Housatonic Valley Regional High School Network Administrator) Mike Ellington. Photo by Alexander Wilburn

HVRHS Class of 2021 essayist Emerson Rinehart, left, with class salutatorian Mia Tittmann, center, and valedictorian Charlotte Clulow. Photo by Alexander Wilburn
Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


Keep ReadingShow less
New Millerton police cruisers arrive to replace fire-ravaged vehicles

Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shows off the new gear. Brand new police cruisers arrived last week.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton Police Department has received two new patrol cars to replace vehicles destroyed in the February 2025 fire at the Village Water and Highway Department.

The new Ford Interceptors are custom-built for law enforcement. “They’re more rugged than a Ford Explorer,” said Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik, noting the all-wheel drive, heavy-duty suspension and larger tires and engine. “They call it the ‘Police Package.’”

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia back in court over Kent Hollow mine

The main entrance to Kent Hollow Mine at 341 South Amenia Road in Amenia.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia residents and a Wassaic business have filed suit against the Town Board and Kent Hollow Inc., alleging a settlement between the town and the mine amounts to illegal contract zoning that allows the circumvention of environmental review.

Petitioners Laurence Levin, Theodore Schiffman and Clark Hill LLC filed the suit on Aug. 22. Town officials were served with documents for the case last week and took first steps in organizing a response to the suit at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historical Society talk to explore the life and times of a Revolutionary Era loyalist

AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.

Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.

Keep ReadingShow less