EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Speaking to audience members on both sides of the football field, Excelsior Springs High School Principal Christen Everett expressed pride in the 2020 graduates, who endured a difficult final school year. “There are simply no words that can be said to make that better,” she said. “I truly wish that your senior year could have ended in a more traditional way.” Everett said the seniors credited themselves with grace, patience and courage. Senior class speaker Noah Dotson reflected on aspects of the senior year and “this phenomenal, one-of-a-kind graduation day.” He said the seniors grew up in a world of instability that started with the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and continued through years of war and upheaval. “But nothing can compare to the personal impact we have all felt now with this global pandemic,” Dotson said, which led to an abrupt end to senior year and most of the anticipated events, including prom. Reading from an essay he had written as a sophomore…