Dear Bronx Latin Class of 2021 – 

We want to say how proud we are of the graduating Class of 2021. You all have accomplished so much and done what we could not imagine having to do ourselves- finishing your time in high school online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of us could have imagined that this is how you would be ending your time at Bronx Latin – and if we are being honest this graduating class is deserving of so much more. I know that it has been disappointing to think about all the memories that you missed out on. But rather than focusing on the things that we have lost and missed out on, we want to focus on the successes of this senior class. They are many. Bronx Latin is a college prep school. Yes, we celebrate graduating high school, but our real goal has been to help prepare you and see you off to college. And as difficult as the virtual college process has been, we could not be more proud of where this class is. Next year there are 25 students attending CUNY schools, 7 attending SUNY schools, 12 students in private schools, and more headed on other career paths. When you are graduating college in 2025, that will be the real celebration.

This graduating class is unlike any other at Bronx Latin, and we have been so honored to have had the chance to be a part of your journey through high school and middle school for many of you. This class is motivated, thoughtful, intelligent, and inspiring. Your teachers and administrators have loved each and every one of you, and the mark that you have made at Bronx Latin. As many of you are headed to college next year, we hope that you remember the good times that you had at Bronx Latin. 

Your senior year began and ended in a way that none of us could have imagined, and that this senior class definitely didn’t deserve. COVID-19 and the global pandemic that has swept up everything up in its wake since March 2020 meant that you missed out on senior trips, prom, graduation, and some of the other final endings to the thirteen years you have spent in public school from kindergarten to 12th grade. We will work to make up what we can for you, believe us. When it becomes possible in the future to celebrate the class of 2021 in person in the way this class deserves, we hope to see as many of you as possible. Bronx Latin does not offer the “typical” high school experience that you see on TV shows like Glee. We are a small school, a tight knit community – a family. Families love each other through thick and thin, and during this dark time it has been more inspiring than ever to see how the class of 2021 has loved each other, supported one another, and lifted each other up. Instead of giving up when distance learning began, the 12th grade showed that they could push through and do it, and still cared about success. We can say this was not the case with all schools across the country, but also we were not surprised that our class of 2021 rose to the challenge. We are in awe of your determination and resilience, and if this pandemic has shown us anything, it confirms our belief that the Bronx Latin class of 2021 has more grit and perseverance than the average senior class, and it ensures us that you will be successful in your future endeavors for sure. 

Sending you off with lots of love, 

Ms. Fiorentino, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Yacenda, and Ms. Cubero