The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School class of 2024 is filled with juxtapositions. It is an independent-minded class that can also come together as a group with kindness and grace.

Principal Sara Dingledy and class advisors Amy Lilavois and Matt Malowski describe the class of 2024 as an “ensemble class.” The students are involved in various organizations, clubs and teams yet support each other when needed.

“They do the right thing quietly,” Ms. Dingledy said. “They sort of are independent in terms of not relying completely on adults to make those recommendations and steer them in the right direction.”

On Sunday, the graduating class will stand together at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs one last time before turning their tassels and throwing their caps in the air, signaling the start of the next chapters in their lives.

The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.

All smiles as graduation day nears. — Ray Ewing

As freshmen in the fall of 2020, the class began their high school careers at home due to the Covid pandemic, staring at each other on little boxes on Zoom. The students had to grow up quickly, navigating a changed world and a changed educational landscape. It was a vast experiment unfolding in real time.

Violet MacPhail, who will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recalled how the pandemic and its social restrictions impacted her relationships with her classmates.

“We had to mature and grow into a sort of independence from each other,” she said. “That did really disconnect us . . . And transitioning through new classes and new grades, we really had to learn how to connect with people.”

The class did find ways to connect, which was essential later on as the school community experienced numerous tragic losses this year.

“This class started so disjointed academically, socially, all of that,” Ms. Lilavois said. “They grew together as a class and [with] the grief that this building has experienced this year, I would say that they supported each other in a beautiful way.”

Ms. Dingledy echoed the sentiment of a class that embodies resilience.

Walker Brescia tries on his gown. — Ray Ewing

“They lost their freshman year, they lost classmates, students in the class have lost family members, so there’s definitely a sense of overcoming adversity in this class,” she said. “I think they did it gracefully. They have shown up to school consistently. They’re still engaged with their work, still engaged with their future and with one another. They really have stepped up and managed some challenging situations.”

But despite all the challenges, the students found ways to thrive.

Co-salutatorian Huck Moore, who will attend Yale University, found his passion through the Protect Your Environment Club. In the fall he plans to study chemical or environmental engineering.

Mr. Moore said he spent much of his high school career on stage with the theatre department and the Minnesingers, which he joined initially to try something new.

“My best friends now are from the performing arts department,” he said. “I’m really grateful for that because I got to discover new passions.”

Class treasurer Katie Ogden, who will attend Tufts University, also found her place in the arts as part of the band.

“Any event where everyone’s work gets put on display [has been a highlight],” Ms. Ogden said. “Whether that’s performing in concerts or an art show where I can walk around and see everyone else’s work culminating into something very cool. It has been a really good experience.”

Gathering as a class for just a few more times. — Ray Ewing

Others found community on the field or on the ice. Sofia Fuller, who will attend Landmark College, credits unified sports for creating memorable moments. The unified sports program at the high school is a branch of the Special Olympics that joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.

“That was a really nice time,” Ms. Fuller said. “I made a lot of friends through that and it’s really fun because everybody is so encouraging.”

Ms. MacPhail played varsity hockey and embraced the benefits of being part of the team throughout her high school career.

“I really felt like it was important for us to not only win games but also enjoy being there and to have that open community,” she said.

Students also credited the Island community with helping them grow. At class night on Friday, that community will bestow upon the students over $1 million in scholarships, an outpouring of support that signals how important each graduating class is to the Island.

Olympia Hall, who will attend Cornell University, said she will miss the beauty and serenity of the Island.

“Being able to step outside my door and walk into the woods and all those fun traditions that really make the Island feel like home for me is something that I’ll miss,” she said.

And as their high school careers come to a close, this independent minded class has bonded even more as a group, Mr. Moore said.

“This last month has been really special because the whole grade is coming together and hanging out with each other in ways that you wouldn’t think of because we all have that feeling that it’s going be the last time we’re seeing each other, so let’s make the most of it,” he said.