Sending off seniors and graduation in general look different this year. Whether high school or university, monumental achievements like graduation are important. There are many beloved events and traditions that will be sorely missed: luncheons, proms, honors banquets, and goodbye parties, just to name a few. Perhaps the most treasured milestone of all, and perhaps the one seniors will be missing the most this year is the symbolic walk across the stage.
This is the last chance for fun before entering the real world, and this important milestone for the graduate and their family can still be experienced. You’ve heard it here once, and you’ll hear it here again: the world may feel like it has temporarily stopped, but life and its treasures should be celebrated!
HOW TO CELEBRATE GRADUATION DURING QUARANTINE
- Invite local law enforcement for a drive-by celebration. Some have been heard sounding their alarms, flashing their lights, and honking with jubilation.
- You’re going to want that cap and gown! Get everyone in the house in on it. Dress for the occasion, take lots of pictures! Zoom call? Cap and gown. Walking down the street? Cap and gown. Filling out job applications? Cap and gown!
- Plan and attend a virtual graduation with classmates or main peer group. Invite a faculty or staff member to speak. Move that tassel over, throw that cap in the air!
- Arrange for the missed perks of gatherings, such as graduation cards and gifts to be delivered via snail mail. With proper handling and sanitation, this will be sure to inspire and uplift the new graduate.
- Celebrate online. Plan a graduation party with your friends online. Prepare the same appetizers and entertainment so you can feel like you’re together one last time. Do the same with your family.
- Decorate lawns, doors, windows, and more. Put “Honk for the Graduate” signs down your road and listen as the happy horns sound off. For other ways to celebrate and party with acceptable social distance, see here.
- Do a mock graduation in the yard. Family and friends can drive by and take photos with the graduate from an acceptable social distance.
- Coordinate a drive-by celebration with friends and family. From a safe distance and with a little coordination, family and friends can watch your front yard graduation.
- Plan a party for the future when everyone can be together again.
- For the adult grads, Natural Light will host a worldwide virtual college graduation.
Class of 2020, you will get through this– we will make sure of it. Sure, walking across that stage has treasured symbolism you’ve worked tirelessly to achieve, but earning your diploma amidst a global pandemic is also a super unique ending to the matriculation and efforts of that symbol. Sending off seniors and graduation looks different this year, but we know that they will work harder because of this. And, I think I can speak for most parents and the rest of the world when I say– we can’t wait to see it happen. Good luck, seniors!
