June 11, 2020 9:30p; Updated 6-12 with photo identifier
(WGTD)---The first of eight COVID-19-altered graduation ceremonies to be held in Kenosha Unified took place Thursday. eSchool graduates kicked things off, then it was Harborside Academy’s turn and that school’s 104 graduates.
Sedans, vans, pick-ups, convertibles and even a flat-bed truck--all filled with graduates and their families-- assembled in the parking lot at the Kenosha Public Museum. They were then given a police escort to the parking lot at Reuther—Harborside’s home. One by one, the vehicles drove up to a tent and the graduates got out and were handed their diplomas by Superintendent Sue Savaglio-Jarvis.
Graduate Makayla Trimark said the lack of tradition didn’t bother her. "It doesn't really matter to me. I'm still graduating," she said.
Tammy Smith pitched a lawn chair near the tent to wait for her granddaughter to drive up. "She would've liked a traditional ceremony but she's okay with this," Smith said.
Graduate Tariq Ware was excited to see his classmates together again for one last time, saying he wasn't sure back in March whether that was going to be possible. "This is just great," he said.
For Ware, graduating from high school was a milestone that was in doubt a year ago. Ware was seriously ill with blood clots. He’s since recovered.
The school obviously tried to retain as much tradition as possible. Graduates wore gowns and mortar boards. At the beginning, "Pomp and Circumstance" was played over a loudspeaker. The principal gave a short welcome speech. Graduates received a flower. None wore masks, although the superintendent and principal had on plastic face shields.
There were obvious differences. Cheers and applause were supplemented by horn-honking. And three hand sanitizer stations were at the tent.
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