Schenectady graduations in early ’90s had special meaning because of merger

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Wilkin

The end of June means flowers, handshakes, hugs and kisses for some teenagers — seniors who are graduating from high school.

During the early 1990s, young men and women in Schenectady wore long gowns and big smiles as they left English literature, geometry, health and gym classes behind. In 1991, Mont Pleasant High School graduate Jamelle Brandon lost his graduation cap to 8-year-old sister Chauntelle Hundley — but he got a kiss out of the deal.

In 1992, teens from Mont Pleasant and Linton High School became members of special classes. The two schools were closing after commencement exercises. Mont Pleasant would welcome middle school students during the fall of ’92. Linton would become Schenectady High School.

Gregory Morris was the valedictorian at Mont Pleasant, which conducted its “Pomp and Circumstance” proceedings at the high school. “We are all different,” he said to the 149 graduates. “But today we stand together sharing a common thread. Let’s make our differences a good thing. President Bush has said that he wants a colorblind nation. I say, let’s make it colorful.”

Linton valedictorian Jennifer Taylor was part of the 175-member class. “We take so much more away from Linton, so much more than just knowledge,” she said, during her speech at Proctors.

In 1993, teens in Schenectady High School’s graduating class of 325 recalled Mont Pleasant and Linton heritage. The guys wore blue robes — reminiscent of Linton’s school colors — while the girls wore Mont Pleasant’s red.