BUHS honors class of 2020
BRAWLEY — Brawley Union High School senior Joshua Silver was looking forward to doing two things on his graduation day: eating breakfast from Johnny’s Burritos and participating in a commencement ceremony at Warne Field with his classmates.
Neither of those two things happened, as both Johnny’s and the school were closed in precaution to COVID-19, but Silver, along with his more than 400 classmates, did in fact receive a high school diploma Wednesday.
The manner in which BUHS’ 2020 graduating class received their diplomas was quite different from years past, as involved a drive-thru procession rather than an assembly.
Students, most of whom rode with their parents and family members, lined up around the school — starting from C Street then wrapping around to A Street — then drove onto campus in single file.
Principal Jesse Sanchez and other school administrators were stationed by the school’s mascot statue, Carl the Cat, where a podium and a table were set up. A speaker at the podium announced the name of each graduate, then each student got exited his or her vehicle and picked up a diploma from the table.
No one other than the student was allowed to leave their vehicle (and no foot traffic was allowed on campus), so the approximately two-hour celebration was livestreamed on both Facebook and YouTube.
“This graduating class is special and unique in its own very way,” Sanchez said during the livestream. “It has cemented a place in history as we continue to endure and conquer the world as it stands today.”
Each student was given a time slot (based on alphabetical order, by last name) to begin lining up.
While he might have skipped breakfast, Silver didn’t miss his 7:15 p.m. time slot.
Accompanying him in the car were his aunt, cousin, sister and mother.
“I’m so proud of him,” Mom, Rozanne Silver, said of her 17-year-old son.
Joshua, who has autism, attended Fremont Elementary School in Calipatria, Brawley Christian Academy then BUHS.
Throughout his schooling, a majority of Joshua’s classes have been special education, Rozanne Silver said.
This year, however, Joshua had two mainstream classes (civics and English), both of which he was able to pass. In fact, he graduated magna cum laude with an overall GPA of 3.54.
While Joshua Silver may not be eating at Johnny’s anytime soon, his mom planned a surprise drive-by caravan Thursday in front of their home so that friends and family could congratulate him.
“We figured we’d might as well make it as best of a day as possible with this coronavirus,” she said.
BUHS graduates were also honored with a fireworks display at the school at 9 p.m.
One graduate who chose to look at the bright side of things during Wednesday’s celebration was Alexis Collado.
Dressed in her yellow cap and gown, she sat shotgun while her father drove.
“Honestly, I think this is so nice what they’re doing,” Collado said. “Some schools didn’t even get this — it was just online, you didn’t get to dress up or anything. I could still see people in their cars and everything. I think it’s so nice and I’m glad to be here.”
Fellow graduate Shantie Gonzalez, who rode with her immediate family in their car, said she felt three things before receiving her diploma: excited, nervous and surreal.
“I can’t believe I’m actually going to graduate and end my high school experience, finally,” she said.
Fellow graduate Jayle Yancy was looking forward to doing two things on Wednesday: graduating and spending time with her family.
Luckily for Yancy, she was able to do those two things simultaneously, as her grandmother, mother and other family members rode with her as she received her diploma.
“I’m feeling nervous, and excited,” Yancy said. I’m happy that I’m graduating. It’s a really big thing for me.”