How Should Shawnee Have Graduation?

Ally Storer, Writer

With quarantine becoming longer and longer, scheduled events here at Shawnee are being canceled, with no idea when they are being rescheduled. Prom has already passed and graduation is quickly approaching. The rising question upon many people’s minds is, how will graduation happen? Since not much has been said about the plans for graduation, I thought I would pitch some ideas I have.

My first idea is a graduation ceremony similar to a homecoming parade. Every graduate would drive either by themselves or with their families in their car around the track. They would do a lap and their diploma would be handed to them similar to the situation at your local Chick-Fil-A drive-thru. No handshakes required and a photographer could take your picture as you drive by. This idea also goes hand-in-hand with those car-honking parades you hear around town so often.

A virtual graduation is the safest option and is most likely to happen. However, there are many ways to go about it. Going along with how our regular classes meet virtually, a graduating class Zoom call is an option. Another way is through a live stream. Whether on Youtube or Facebook, like the virtual band concert, students and family could watch a commencement ceremony in the comforts of their own homes. All the seniors can submit a clip of them throwing their graduation caps in the air and could be put into a montage at the end of the ceremony. Diplomas could be mailed to every graduating student home along with a graduating class of 2020 sign to put on their lawn.

I know many seniors are wishing they could have the rest of their senior year back that was taken away from them. Although it won’t be the same, an event like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a chance to make history, because this event will definitely be put in the history books one day. Making the best of this time and coming together to help one another is vital. We should be proud to show our Shawnee pride and finish off this year strong, whether in person or online.