Germantown High School’s final graduation was a celebration, not a funeral

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

by Brian Hickey for NewsWorks

A newly minted Germantown High School graduate, Shyhiem Crump stood outside the New Covenant Church posing for pictures just before noon Wednesday. In his hands was a framed black-and-white graduation photograph of his late father, Darnell.

Crump conceded that he was both a little nervous for the big day and bummed that he and his classmates represented the last graduating class in GHS’ 99-year history.

Then he was asked how his father how would react if he was standing here today among a half-dozen friends and relatives who just watched this achievement.

"He’d be smiling," Crump beamed. "Just like me."

An emotional spectrum

Beginnings and ends.

Joy and melancholy.

Those were the tenors of the day when members of Germantown High’s 146th class went from being students to alumni.

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