Crescent Heights grads will get to walk the stage, with just a few differences

By RYAN MCCRACKEN on May 21, 2020.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken

Graduation will be a little bit different at Crescent Heights High School this year – but students will still have the opportunity to throw on a cap and gown then walk across the stage.

While the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent this year’s graduating class of 193 students from huddling together and throwing those caps in the air, vice principal Shonna Barth says they’ll still be able to celebrate with each other in a virtual format, with the goal of one day looking back on it as an experience like no other.

“Nobody is ever going to forget the grads of 2020,” said Barth, adding the entire ceremony will be streamed online. “It’s been a challenging year for many of us, so being able to have something to look forward to and celebrate, I think, is lifting the spirits of the students and the staff, and I’m sure the parents as well.”

The virtual graduation process runs June 10 and 11, following a strict schedule. Graduates show up at their appointed time and enter the school through the main doors, where they sign in and pick up their cap and gown. They’ll then enter the theatre for their ceremony, where they can walk across the stage and receive their diploma in front of a group of up to six family members.

Social distancing measures will prevent principal Kelly Pitman from physically handing out diplomas, but Barth says the school has a workaround for that as well.

“The parents have the opportunity, if they want, to go up on the stage and actually hand the diploma to their child,” she said. “We’re just trying to find creative, fun ways to do it without having any contact.”

After receiving their diploma, graduates head into the cafeteria for a series of photography sessions. A backdrop will be provided for families to take pictures, while other stations will be set up for yearbook and wall composite photos, as well as the school’s “grad morph” pictures.

“That’s a fun one that we’ve done the last few years. Students provide us with a picture, usually between 0-2 years old, something kind of fun, and we morph it into a current picture of them,” said Barth. “A lot of the kids actually will take a similar pose, like if they were sitting there with their teddy bear, they’ll have a teddy bear in their hand again.”

The ceremony will be kicked off by pre-recorded speeches from the school’s co-valedictorians, Kennedy Galloway and Emily Warwick – who learned of their roles through a surprise teacher parade at their homes.

“That was a really good feeling. Honestly, it was really sweet of them to take time out of their own day to come do that,” said Galloway. “It was pretty overwhelming. Obviously I was really happy, but it also reminded me of how much I’ve missed seeing all their faces at school. I broke down a little bit, but it was a lot of happy tears.”

The fun continues into the weekend with a graduation parade scheduled for June 13 at Kin Coulee. Signs will be set up eight feet apart with the names and pictures of each graduate, who will all be allowed to stand by their signs in their grad dresses and suits as friends and family drive by in a celebratory send-off.

“It’s nice for the people who have already purchased their dresses and suits and ties,” said Galloway. “It will be nice to actually be able to wear them and hopefully get some pictures, and do all that stuff to try our best to make it feel normal.”

It may not be everything Galloway and her fellow students had initially hoped for, but the virtual grad is something they’ll likely be talking about for years to come.

“Obviously it’s a little disappointing because things aren’t as usual, but it’s definitely cool because we’re living through history, so we’ll definitely have a unique grad,” she said. “I know my friends and myself included are pretty appreciative that the staff is still trying to do something to acknowledge everybody.”

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