PHOTOS: Following 2020's Float-Ing Graduation, Seniors Celebrate Together

By Ben Fractenberg, THE CITY

June 25, 2021

High school senior Byri-vanni Smith was forced to miss long stretches of classes after twice falling ill from COVID.

On Thursday, she joined more than 50 of her fellow Manhattan Urban Assembly School for Emergency Management classmates on a sunny day in Murry Bergtraum Park to graduate together after a year of academic and social isolation.

“I took the time off for myself, because being in the room alone, quarantining by myself, mentally that’s hard. It’s a lot,” Smith, who plans to study nursing, told THE CITY after receiving her diploma.

“I cried [today]. I’m just really sad we all are going to separate from each other, but it’s for the best.”

After documenting the school’s door-to-door graduation in 2020, THE CITY returned this year to see Manhattan Urban Assembly’s in-person — yet still socially distanced — celebration of a major milestone.

Tashani Kerr, 18, approaches the UASEM graduation float, June 25, 2020. Hiram Alejandro Durán/THE CITY

Here are some images from Thursday’s day of celebration and remembrance of a trying time.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Classmates and family members embraced before the ceremony.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Even with relaxed social distancing rules, the staff still took safety precautions that included forehead temperature checks.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Seniors decorated their hats, with one honoring the emergency medical training they received.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Students in their final single-file line as high schoolers.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/A graduation present got a front row seat.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Valedictorian Nawin Bravo wants to become a pilot for JetBlue.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Families celebrated while seniors received academic awards.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/Students and their families had to remain socially distanced during the ceremony.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY/But after receiving their diplomas everyone came together.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

“I feel like this is a better memoir of what happened throughout your life,” said Jose Ramos about being able to have an in-person ceremony.

“Instead of just having a picture or just electronic evidence of having it, it’s better to have a physical copy of it.”

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

While they’ll never forget going through high school during a pandemic, students said they were ready for their next chapter.

This story was originally published on Jun 24, 2021 by THE CITY. Sign up here to get the latest stories from THE CITY delivered to you each morning.

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