This is the time of year that my life as principal at Campbell High School most excites me. It is the culmination of four years of hard work to celebrate the Campbell HS Class of 2021. When I think about our seniors and the journey beyond CHS that they are about to begin, I am continually renewed. Particularly this year, 2021- the Year of the Pandemic. And they are about to begin the adult time of their lives and an opportunity to use that learning outside CHS and in their real world pursuits. Who could be more prepared for the world ahead than them? I am privileged as CHS principal to be joining with our graduating seniors, their families and friends, the CHS staff and the Litchfield community in their graduation celebrations.

For me, this is a unique class. This is the “Class of COVID-19.” I have seen them on a regular basis throughout most of their CHS experience, and the last 1 ¼ years has challenged them in unimaginable ways. These seniors struggled through the end of their junior year where they lost their prom, spring activities, spring athletics, and their academic lives changed in dramatic ways, filled with blended learning, remote learning, and in-school learning. They had to normalize Google Meets, Google Classroom, Open Campus, Delayed Arrivals, and Early Releases, and on it goes. And what they did they do? They continued to take all that they have learned from friends and families and all that they have learned in their COVID19 time here at CHS. And none of them have given up or given in, even those most challenged. They still completed senior projects, participated in end of the year senior activities, joined their junior class peers for an outdoor Jr/Sr Prom, participated in NHS, and National Art Honor and National Science Honor Society inductions, enrolled in CTE classes at Pinkerton and Alvirne, and participated in their co-curricular and athletic accomplishments. Our Student Council has organized important celebrations of school spirit and community-building with our annual Food Drive to benefit the Litchfield Food Pantry and Spring Fest to build community for staff and students at year’s end. And along the way, other groups such as Key Club, SADD, Environmental Club, and Alliance were among our many student clubs and organizations led by outstanding seniors who committed themselves individually and collectively to their school and to the community, even in the midst of COVID. They may have done things a little differently, but they have never given up.

Their powerful contributions in such a challenging year, though, have been strongly supported by the Litchfield School Board and Superintendent Michael Jette, by the entire CHS faculty and staff, and particularly by our AP Mike Perez, Counseling Director, Jodi Callinan, and Athletic Director, Josh Knight. A truly exceptional sign of the type of year this was is indicated by our Girls’ Softball Team winning the State Division III title this spring in an undefeated season. This group was not going to give up this year. The seniors of the Class of 2021, along with the senior class officers, Class Advisor, Dawn Parker, and Student Council Advisor: Shawn McDonough, and AP Mike Perez, all collaborated to ensure a graduation celebration that reflected proudly on all of the accomplishments of the Class of 2021 on Friday June 11, 2021.

As I have stated every year, it is my sincere wish that our graduates look back on their experiences at CHS and put their learning here to good use in the future. This is a class of students who will do well down the road as they do so regardless of the path each of them takes. I am honored to be the principal of Campbell High School wishing every member of the Class of 2021 all the best in their lives after Campbell High School.

The class of 2021 has shown tremendous creativity and resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of you had to adjust and pivot multiple times as your high school careers came to a close. You embraced new technologies that emerged to facilitate remote learning. And more importantly, you supported your classmates and teachers in how to effectively implement different ways of learning. On the whole, our students demonstrated patience and grace with each twist and turn the virus threw at CHS. We are proud to have taken this journey together, even if we would have preferred a more traditional and customary journey.

William Lonergan

Principal of Campbell High School

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I believe the pandemic experience has prepared the class of 2021 for success in ways we don’t yet understand or can even imagine. Research has shown that top ranked students are not always shakers and movers in life. More likely, they learned how to navigate the rules and to be successful “in the box”. Meanwhile, creative and tenacious students who are not restrained by the system go on to push new advances and insight through “out of the box” thinking. Given the amount of time your class had to think out of the box and resolve problems never before encountered, you are now prepared for the further challenges life will throw at you.

We will look back on this time and know that Litchfield is a strong community. We pulled together in a national crisis to make individual sacrifices for the common good. The memories of Litchfield and Campbell will forever be framed in our hearts and minds as we draw on this experience in future endeavors. Best wishes to each of you as you move forward in life ready to embrace the next set of challenges that come your way!

Be Well & Stay Strong,

Mike Jette, Superintendent of Schools

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This has been a very interesting ride for you all. You have made it through high school and through a pandemic. It has been four years and I still remember all of you as young adults who started school looking somewhat overwhelmed but eager to find your way in life. Every graduate has worked very hard to make the best of themselves. You have persevered and worked towards your goals in a determined way. Each of you has grown in a way that you should be proud of. You arrive here at graduation time a skilled and valuable group, all ready to tackle the next set of challenges which will ensure you grow further. You are all a credit to yourselves.

Growth comes in many ways. Through out of school activities, helping others and dealing with the changes every school student has to go through, as well as achieving at school. You have shown a readiness to tackle all these areas. All of these experiences have given you all a well-rounded education. It has also meant you have grown as people into well rounded young adults.

The future holds many challenges and successes for all of you. Each of you will have your own unique opportunities to grow. I am confident you will rise to every occasion.

Let me wish you all the best for the future. Thank You!

Michael Perez

Assistant Principal

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Thank you all for the past two years. You all have amazing stories and will accomplish so much if you keep working hard. Your drive, dedication and energy made this year as memorable and enjoyable as it could be. Thank you all for being flexible with our athletic covid protocols/adjustments. They did not stop you as we came away with six top four teams, three final appearances and one state championship! Shoutout to my five boys lacrosse seniors and seven golfers. An amazing season that helped create a new tradition for both. Good luck with the next chapter of your life and don’t forget to come back and visit.

Joshua Knight, Director of Athletics

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