Class Of 2020 To Receive A Drive-by Send-off
The Liverpool community is rallying to make graduation memorable for the class of 2020.
Precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have forced schools across the province to re-think how they recognize graduates.
At Liverpool Regional High School, students need to book a time slot between June 23 and 25 to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas along with any bursaries or scholarships.
A photographer will be on hand to capture the moment and only four people from within the student’s bubble will be allowed to attend.
Social distancing requirements severely limit how graduates can interact on a day that would normally be full of camaraderie and close contact.
But the Liverpool community has come up with a couple of creative ways to make the event special.
Primrose Lane, Yumi M Photography and Details Event & Design Studio have partnered to provide free prom photos at Fort Point on June 23.
Grads can book an appointment to get dressed in their prom dresses and sharpest suits and have their pictures taken between 2:00pm and 7:00pm and each student will come away with two photos to mark the occasion.
The grand finale is being held at Queens Place on the evening of June 25.
Graduates will gather, standing six feet apart in the parking lot to be recognized in a drive-by celebration.
Students will stand in the parking spaces while the public acknowledges them from within their own vehicles as they cruise past.
The event is being organized by Melissa Robinson and Charmaine Stevens.
Robinson, who is also Vice President of the South Queens Chamber of Commerce says unanimous support from the Region of Queens, the Chamber of Commerce, RCMP, Queens County Fire Departments, EHS and Ground Search and Rescue have allowed the event to come together so quickly.
Robinson says under the circumstances this is the best way to bring the graduating class together.
“This is just, kind of, the secondary option for them where they can still stand six-feet apart, together, and share their accomplishment.”
Robinson says Queens County Ground Search and Rescue will be on hand to ensure both the students and public follow social distancing requirements.
Robinson’s daughter Katie is part of the 2020 LRHS graduating class.
She is pleased to see how people have rallied for the graduates.
“I was actually really nervous that we weren’t going to get a celebration. But I knew that the community would come together and do some sort of celebration for us in the end and I’m really happy with what they decided to do for us.”
No one would’ve predicted this is how the 2020 school year would end.
And Katie Robinson is grateful for the work being done to make their graduation memorable.
“For us, it means a lot to have the community support and to be able to have them see all the success we have accomplished and graduating is a really big deal.”
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson