Photo by Deb Gau Thumbs-up, “air hugs,” and “air high-fives” were all around at Lakeview High School’s drive-up commencement ceremony on Friday evening. The Lakeview class of 2020 celebrated graduation with a procession into the school parking lot, and a parade through the communities of Cottonwood and Wood Lake.

COTTONWOOD — Their last year in school had been a wild ride, Lakeview High School graduates said.

“We thought world history class was hard for us. Just think how our grandchildren will feel when they study the 2020s,” joked Noah Schmidt as he gave his salutatorian address Friday evening.

But in spite of the pandemic, the protests, and even the news about killer hornets, the class of 2020 still found ways to celebrate their accomplishments and look to the future.

A total of 61 Lakeview seniors graduated Friday, in a drive-up commencement ceremony. Lakeview was one of a few different area schools this year that held drive-up commencements to keep social distancing.

A podium was set up outside the school, and new graduates pulled up in a procession led by fire trucks and ambulances from Cottonwood, Wood Lake and Hanley Falls. Each time school officials announced a graduate’s name and future plans, the parking lot erupted in applause and honking car horns.

This year’s graduates had been through a lot, said Lakeview Superintendent Chris Fenske.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges and frustrations in your senior year,” ranging from distance learning to the cancellation of sports and milestones like prom, Fenske said. But through it all, he said, “You have demonstrated tremendous leadership and flexibility.”

“Lakeview Class of 2020, you are the real thing,” said faculty speaker Josie Laleman.

After commencement, graduates paraded through the communities of Cottonwood and Wood Lake.

Senior class speakers reflected on all that they had been through together. Valedictorian Sidney Geistfeld said Lakeview held a lot of memories for the class of 2020, even before the chaos of this spring.

“We have a loving community and a beautiful school,” Geistfeld said.

But while senior year turned out “completely unexpectedly,” Geistfeld and Schmidt said the end of high school was still an important turning point for their classmates’ lives. It was important to look to what was still ahead.

“I am thankful we are able to celebrate today,” Geistfeld said. “We have a unique opportunity in front of us to build a better future.”

“We’re setting ourselves up to do great things,” Schmidt said.