BUFFALO, N.Y. — After the traditional march into the auditorium, the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts Class of 2024 remained attentive.
There were awards presented along with a dance performance and a special song as a video was shown on the screen of the graduates.
Graduates were beaming with pride. Many of them never had a moving up ceremony after eighth grade due to the pandemic.
Malyiah Tyus recalls the remote learning during COVID. "It was really hard. I didn't think I was gonna make it past COVID. I need to be in school, but I overcame it obviously and I got my diploma."
Mel Jones Merritt will study television and film in the fall. When asked about graduation day, Merritt called it "bittersweet. It's weird. Just so many emotions. Happy. Sad. Stressed out. But it's all worth it at the end, you know. It's like I pushed through. I kept going on, and now I'm here."
Caleb Thomas was all smiles. "It feels great, I got my family supporting me. It's a good day." He's heading to Villa Maria College to study music production.
Anyah Dorsey studied dance at BAVPA and feels like she has grown to be comfortable being her "true self."
WGRZ-TV's 5:30 News Anchor Claudine Ewing, a graduate of the school gave the commencement speech.
She told the students they are forever connected to past graduates.
"Appreciate those who have given to you. Never be afraid to take ownership and responsibility for what you do and who you are," Ewing told the graduates.