By Elizabeth Richards
High schools across the state are finding
creative ways to celebrate graduation and Windham High School is no exception. This year’s graduation ceremony will be a small
personal experience, but students will then have an opportunity to be together
in a safe way as they gather at a drive-in theater.
WHS principal Ryan Caron said the
school had hoped to have a video celebration now and hold an actual outdoor
graduation ceremony in late summer. When state guidelines for August continued
to limit gatherings to 50 people, those plans needed to change.
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| Individual graduation ceremonies for 2020 graduates at Windham High School will be filmed and then shown to students and their families at the Saco Drive-In in Saco on June 9 with a rain date scheduled for June 10. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE |
While some schools chose student-centered plans and others
were more family focused, Windham developed a two-part plan that allows for
both.
“We tried to find the best of both situations, given the
limitations. An opportunity for family
to be involved, and also the opportunity for the kids to be together, even if
they’re separated by cars,” Caron said.
During the first week in June, students
will have an individualized ceremony, by appointment, in the WHS auditorium. A
small group of family and friends will be allowed to attend this ceremony.
Caron said that graduating students
will wear caps and gowns and be announced, then walk across the stage to
receive their diplomas, awards and scholarships. Photos and video will be taken
of these individual ceremonies.
WHS senior Jessica Brooks said she thinks that the school is
offering a great option in difficult circumstances.
Many students were worried that there wouldn’t be any
celebration at all, she said.
“Although not being all together for this is disappointing,
for a lack of better words, I’m just glad we get the experience to walk across
the stage,” Brooks said. “I’m also really glad that family and friends were
able to be invited. I relied on my friends and family a lot the last four
years, and I was worried they would not be able to be by my side for this
accomplishment.”
Following these individual ceremonies,
Caron said, a video will be made that includes many elements of a traditional
graduation, such as speeches and a class song.
This video will then be shown to students and families at the Saco
Drive-In on June 9, with a rain date of June 10.
Caron said that feedback has been
positive, even as people wish they could do something bigger.
“Everybody’s been really
understanding,” he said.
Some families have expressed concern
about safety and have told the school they are unlikely to participate.
Diplomas
and gift bags will be mailed to these students, Caron said.
“We’re trying to respect everybody and
make it as personalized an experience as we can,” he said.
The attention and concern for everyone
is appreciated.
“I think given the circumstances Windham has made
the best of a tough situation. It is definitely apparent to me that our
teachers and administrators truly care about their students,” said WHS senior Anthony
Gugliuzza. “The way in which they have handled these past few months is incredible.
It’s a huge testament to who they are as people.”
The drive-in night allows students to be honored in the best
way possible, Brooks said, “I’m really happy to be a part of a district that is trying
so hard to accommodate everyone as best as possible and make light of a pretty
dark situation,” she said. “This graduation is definitely going to be one for
the books, and it will be a story and experience we are able to share with
younger generations, but I truly hope no one has to face these circumstances
again.”
Although the traditional Project Graduation event was
canceled, according to Sarah Elliott, chair of the school’s Project Graduation
Committee 2020, said they’re planning to do something to bring students back
together in late May or early June 2021.
The Project Grad committee also partnered with the school and
local business to have lawn signs made up for all seniors. In conjunction with
that, they held their last fundraiser, allowing friends, family, teachers,
students, and community members to send personal messages to seniors.
These signs and messages were distributed on Friday, May 22
and Tuesday, May 26.
Arrangements can be
made for any seniors who were not able to pick these up at those times.
Elliot said it was a touching experience to see the time and
thought people put into the messages they sent.
She said that the event next year is a way to give students
an opportunity to be together one last time, when social distancing is more
relaxed. While it is uncertain what the
event will be, Elliot said that they want to keep it similar in spirit to what
they would have done originally while keeping it more local.
“We want to include as many graduates as possible,” Elliott
said.
An Instagram page has been set up to continue communication
throughout the year and as the event draws closer, she said.
