MORGANTOWN – They seized the soggy day.
In the rain, they reigned.
And, they made sure they had sensible shoes. You know. Just because.
“Well, these are my backup,” Emma Teter said, as she considered her spare kicks with the decidedly non-slip soles. “In case the heels don’t work.”
After all, the member of Morgantown High School’s Class of 2026 said Friday night, one doesn’t want to go sprawling, as one is going forth.
Some 440 graduates of the school on Wilson Avenue did just that – went forth, that is – in a steady rain, during the school’s 143rd commencement, on the wet-dog turf of Pony Lewis Field.
Friday night was graduation night for Mon’s three public high schools of MHS, University and Clay-Battelle.
Hours before the ceremony, district officials kept a keen eye on the weather reports that were 100% accurate in their call for an 80% chance of showers.
With the weather predicted as more of the same on Saturday’s rain date, the district decided to let it ride.
For Principal Paul Mihalko, that meant securing more than 400 diplomas in more than 400 Ziploc bags, checking the footing on the stage – read, Emma – and at least trying to keep even with the raindrops.
“This class has proven what MHS can really be,” he said before the ceremony.
“Everything they set out to achieve as seniors, they did. The weather could be better, but we’re going to give them what they earned.”
Cheers from the bleachers cut through the precipitation as the seniors emerged – like the conquerors of the elements they were, Mihalko said – in their procession onto the field.
Before, as said, they were hardly mad at the meteorology, as they waited for the evening that got here a lot quicker than they realized.
In the cafeteria where they gathered for last-minute instructions, in that expanse with its giant windows overlooking the football field, they laughed, jostled one another and posed for one more selfie … before venturing out.
“Hey, gimmie a poncho!”
“You didn’t say, ‘please.’”
“Hey, gimmie a poncho … please!”
“I’m ready for this.”
“I’m not ready for this.”
“Maybe the clouds will part when we get down there.”
“It’s just water.”
The latter came from Landon Hamilton, and it was a learned observation – as he’s now a certified plumber, having just completed his course work at the Monongalia County Technical Education Center.
MTEC’s ceremonies were earlier in the week at Mylan Park, and he walked during that one, also.
“Indoors,” he said.
Another: “So we’ll be memorable.”
That one was from Emme Fragele, who wasn’t going let a little rain – rain on her celebration.
“Hey,” she said, with mock-dismissiveness. “Anyone can graduate in good weather.”
