PENDLETON — With several hundred people tuned in to the live feed — and with more than 2,500 views as of Tuesday afternoon — Pendleton Heights High School Class of 2020’s virtual graduation went off without a glitch at 2 p.m. Sunday.

This, even after intentions for an in-person commencement ceremony that could accommodate the 322-member class were announced recently, set tentatively for 2 p.m. July 12.

The slickly produced hour-and-a-half digital show featured pre-recorded speeches by half a dozen students and several teachers, as well as Principal Connie Rickert and district Superintendent Joe Buck. There were songs, video montages and traditional elements, such as an invitation to seniors to turn their tassels.

Coronavirus was the reason for the school arranging the virtual affair, after the virus led South Madison to shut its doors for the year at spring break and switch to online-only instruction. Coronavirus and its impacts provided a thread throughout the commencement speeches, as did the students’ response to the upending of the end of their high school careers.

“Though I was going to make a joke, this is serious,” said Jackson McKinney, co- secretary of the senior class and the opening speaker. “Graduation is the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. However, this probably doesn’t feel real — like someone ripped the last few pages out of a book, and you never really got a good ending. Like your moment was stolen.”

Students were quick, however, to point out the many good things that happened at school before the virus, and positive results from withstanding adversity.

Class President Emma Caldwell reflected on how quickly the high school years passed and asked her classmates to reflect on the traditional significance of graduation — “how much a defining moment this is. All the blood, sweat and tears you’ve poured into school, whether it be through athletics, or academics, or extracurriculars, all culminates to this moment.”

But she, too, came around several times to the past couple of months: “Class of 2020, we’ve been through it. We’ve really been through it. And the more I reflect on it, the more I realize how much stronger it has made us.”

Salutatorian Austin Davis, who laced humor and gratitude throughout his speech, had this observation to share: “In our circumstance, we not only share the rite of passage that classes before and after us experience together, but we also share what I like to see as a valuable lesson learned through a somewhat disappointing conclusion to high school … that this crazy thing that we call life is constantly throwing curve balls that we can never predict. And nothing is guaranteed — not your final baseball game, not a goodbye to all your friends, not a formal high school graduation and not even tomorrow.

“So if I can say one thing to the Class of 2020, it would be to not to dwell on this disappointment long. I would encourage everyone to take this experience as a reminder to not focus so much on expectations and plans, and instead to simply appreciate what you are given no matter how great or small.”

Valedictorian Daniel Aker, quoting David Deida’s observation that “Every moment of your life is either a test or a celebration,” said it prompted a realization in him “that these past few months have been a test. Quarantine has been a test. Elearning has been a test. And the coronavirus is still testing all of us.”

But Sunday was a celebration and not a test, Aker said. He said it was time to celebrate parents, siblings and friends; the school board and the administrators; teachers and the teaching assistants; counselors; custodians; secretaries and resource and officers, all of whom contributed to student success.

And it was a time to celebrate “how much we’ve managed to accomplish in our short time here,” Aker said. He mentioned plays and musicals, including “Elf” and “Grease”; athletes named to all-conference and all-state teams, and some who will compete in college; show choirs being named grand champions; social studies academic team wins at conference and area championships; WEEM being named runner-up best radio station in the country; and the marching band making it to state finals twice.

“Don’t let the loss of prom, your spring activities, or in-person graduation weigh too heavily on your recollections,” Aker said. “Instead, use this ceremony as a positive force to drive you forward in life. Use it to remind yourself of what you have accomplished and what you are capable of. And, above all, remember that no matter what, this moment right now, this moment that we celebrate, this moment of good is something that will always be yours. And in the words of Eckhart Tolle, ‘Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.’”

Class Treasurer Isabel Taylor reminded people that coronavirus isn’t the only adversity her class has faced.

“We have witnessed a natural disaster destroy our town, we have been forever changed through the loss of classmates, and now, due to a pandemic, we no longer have the opportunity to end our senior year with that walk across the stage, those handshakes, and receiving a piece of paper that tells us that our 13 years of education meant something. Through all of that, we continue to hold our heads high, not letting obstacles deter us from the path of success. We are living proof that with the right mindset we can overcome anything that life throws our way.”

Principal Connie Rickert said the Class of 2020 has faced significant challenges in a changing, fast-paced, technology-based world, and that COVID-19 heaps on top of that another society-changing moment. But, Rickert told the class she has faith in them to adapt and excel.

“I’m here to tell you, you are an Arabian. An Arabian is known for its strong hooves that help them withstand the sand and the rocks of the desert. Known for intelligence, courage, loyalty and a spirited yet gentle disposition. There has not been a better time that our mascot has defined us. As Arabians and Americans, we will persevere out of the rubble as we have done time and time before, and our world will get back the new normal, whatever that may be.”

With the disappointments seniors have faced, Rickert said “do not doubt yourself. As you are learning, the human spirit can endure much more than we think. I hope the thought of knowing tragedy exists and not knowing what tomorrow will bring will make you make today great. That is what I challenge you with: Make today great.

“In closing, Class of 2020, I promise you, if you have made it this far and gotten up each time that you’ve been knocked down, that you will be an attribute to the world beyond high school. And please remember, as always, take pride in yourself and the Arabians.”

Buck, who is retiring after this school year, spoke to his last senior class at South Madison, offering his words of encouragement.

“The world today presents many different and difficult challenges, especially during this unprecedented time we are experiencing. Winston Churchill once said, ‘The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.’ Look at the challenges as opportunities to improve the quality of life for all. Believe what you do today will affect tomorrow. Use your talent, energy and knowledge to make the world a better place. Instead of the world changing you, you can help change the world.”

Visit youtube.com/watch?v=QNmrp1PHPwI to view the full ceremony.

More details on the July 12 in-person ceremony, and a July 11 rehearsal, will be posted at phhs.smcsc.com as the date approaches, according to the high school website.

The date for the in-person event was chosen to remain “compliant with all local and state-mandated reopening guidelines,” the site states.

And the event still hinges on the course of the pandemic.

“This is dependent on Indiana moving into Stage 5 of the Back On Track plan by that time,” the posting states. “It is our hope that Indiana will continue to progress through the stages in the Back on Track plan so that all 322 graduates can gather in July.”