By Kathy Chouteau
This morning, as Kennedy High School graduates rode onto campus in their family’s vehicle and exited, they were warmly welcomed by loud cheers, graduation music and the clanking of cowbells.
Thursday’s graduation ceremony—which, due to the COVID-19 pandemic was drive-through style without speeches—was no less joyful thanks to the diligent efforts of all involved, from the graduates, to the teachers, to the parents and beyond. It was one of two graduations Kennedy hosted this week by sectioning the students into smaller groups to make the gatherings more socially distanced.
As students from Kennedy’s Information Technology Academy exited their vehicles one-by-one and headed toward a small stage, they walked past a line of teachers and other supporters waving red & white pom-poms, celebratory signs, tons of balloons, and of course, more cowbell.
Each graduate’s name was ceremonially announced as they took the stage, which was adorned in an array of balloons and flowers. Once front and center, they were greeted by Kennedy Principal Felicia Phillips—a onetime Kennedy graduate herself—as well as the school mascot, a giant eagle stuffed animal. Then they picked up their diploma and posed for pictures at center stage, while their proud parents dangled out car windows to take their pictures.
The graduates then returned to their families and drove away in vehicles, many of which were decorated in with balloons and writing on the windows to mark their achievement. Then Kennedy High School’s class of 2020 eaglets took flight toward their promising futures up ahead.
Here are some pics of the class of 2020’s special day.
