Malden High School Commencement Exercises for Class of 2022 set Sunday

MHS Senior Class has persevered through some of the most difficult times in nation’s history 

As the Malden High School Senior Class of 2022 gets closer to Graduation Day, they are often referred to as the class that has faced more challenges than any high school class in recent history,

The COVID-19 pandemic — which remains still — changed many of the rules in both education and life itself for the Class of 2022.

On Sunday, Malden High School will recognize the 444 members of the Class of 2022 with its annual Commencement Exercises.

Graduates, family and friends will gather at Macdonald Stadium on Pearl Street for the 2:00 p.m. ceremony with much “pomp” and lots of “circumstance” as Malden High’s newest alumni-to-be are welcomed into the ranks of graduates.

Of all of the traditions that were altered, reduced or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, great efforts were to retain and maintain the MHS graduation ceremony,

In 2020, a traditional ceremony with a dramatically reduced attendance policy for guests was held at the stadium, at the height of the pandemic. For the first time in school history, Graduation Day was held in August, not June.

Last year, in June 2021, a much more “normal” commencement was held at Macdonald Stadium, with a full audience in attendance.

This year will be the same, with no restrictions on attendance, with advisories for the protocols now in effect at the local, state and federal levels.

This year’s MHS Class of 2022 has a vibrant collection of success and talented students with success in many area, including academics, social activism, athletics, and the arts.

“This Class of 2022 has truly been successful despite the many challenges and obstacles it has faced,” said fifth-year Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo.

Mastrangelo pointed out another key point regarding this senior class. “They (Class of 2022) are the only class of the four at the high school right now which has had a full year of in-class learning, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This year’s class speakers include some remarkable students, with #1-ranked Class of 2022 senior Jing Ren serving as Valedictorian.

Olivia Chan is the #2-ranked MHS Class of 2022 senior and will deliver the Salutatorian address,

The Class Orator as the #3-ranked student in the Class of 2022 is Tony Giech.

Parking is limited in the neighborhood around Macdonald Stadium and those attending are urged to arrive early and also to consider alternative means of transportation such as public transportation, as the stadium is located directly adjacent to the Malden Center MBTA Orange Line Station, which is also a public bus hub.