In this photo from 2019, Klein Forest High School students celebrate their graduation ceremony.

The final bell has sounded signaling the end of classes and closing the final chapter on the 2020-2021 school year. It also closes the book on a 12-year career in Klein ISD for students, many of whom were born the same year it snowed on Christmas Eve for the first time in Houston, Texas. This class seems to have faced challenges and beat them.

During those 12 years, they have been a part of historical events, many of which will fill future editions of U.S. and Texas history books.

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They have also endured the world’s first pandemic in a century and survived. Meeting those mountains and living in those valleys with their indomitable and resilient spirit will serve them well in the life they will enjoy.

The end of the year on Friday afternoon spurred a letter from Superintendent Jenny McGown, published on the district website thanking students and reflecting on the many trials endured by both students and faculty.

“This school year has been full of so many life-changing moments — some heartwarming, some heart-wrenching. And through it all, like the best of families, the Klein Family came together and stuck together no matter what,” she said.

She continues, “Our Klein family has gone above and beyond to support our students this year. And we’ve seen that hard work and sacrifice translate into huge moments of success for our kids and our community.”

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McGown also praises the students who have found glory on the academic pedestal and titles on the sporting fields and courts.

“We’ve seen our students excel while pursuing their passions,” she said extolling their athletic, mental, and character prowess.

While the list of accomplishments this year is long, it’s even longer for those who achieved the highest of awards—that of graduation.

As one class takes their place in Klein ISD history when they walk the stage this week in celebration of their accomplishments, the following week, faculty and staff begin preparing for yet another school year. The cycle continues.

“On this last official day of school, I’m grateful to be finishing on a positive and hopeful note and that preparations are already underway for an even better than normal 2021-2022 school year,” McGown said.

She also promised effective June 1, the Klein ISD family can expect a return to normal operations, an event worth celebrating in itself.

Finally, McGown thanked employees, family members and students “who reminded us of why it was all worth it as we watched you learn, compete, perform, grow, and succeed—thank you for making this year possible for our kids and our community.”

While the school doors are closed, the opportunities for student success are not.

The district has offered some instructions on the graduation celebrations.

To ensure timely arrival for graduation ceremonies, ticketholders will be allowed to enter Klein Memorial Stadium a full 1.5 hours ahead of the scheduled graduation time.

According to the website, graduates will not need a ticket to attend their own graduation. Each graduate will be furnished a brown envelope from their own campus that bares a total of seven tickets for family and friends to attend the ceremony and two total parking passes. It is important to note that if the graduate chooses to drive to the ceremony, they must use one of the parking passes provided. They may also be dropped off at 6:30 p.m.

District officials also said each person sitting in the stands must have a ticket to enter, but small children who can sit in the lap of an adult are not required to have a ticket.

New protocols allow more freedom with face coverings and masks as optional at the ceremony for graduates and guests.

Ticket or parking passes that have been duplicated will not be honored.

In the event of inclement weather and the cancellation of the ceremonies, weather makeup days will be June 6-11 and scheduled at the earliest possible time.

District officials ask attendees to limit the items they bring with them to the stadium. Items that are precluded are umbrellas, tents, or any other objects that block visibility in the stands. Rain ponchos are a good substitute for light rainfall.

Each graduation ceremony can be viewed through live streaming on the Klein ISD website for family and friends who are unable to attend in person.

Here are the dates and times for each of the graduation ceremonies:

For more information and updates, visit www.kleinisd.net.

David Taylor is the reporter/photographer for Houston Community Newspapers / Houston Chronicle and writes news, sports and investigative pieces. He is a member of the Texas Press Association and has won numerous state awards.

He attended Rice University and the University of Houston and has led the news rooms of several newspapers including The Sentinel Newspapers, The Pasadena Citizen, The Examiner Newspapers, and The Observer Group.