New London High begins 3-phase graduation
In the year of a disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, ‘senior walk’ to be followed by Ocean Beach Park event on June 22,drive-thru celebration the next day
New London — Seniors from the New London High School Class of 2020 took their “senior walk,” across the stage on Monday. Some of them anyway. Monday was the first of a three-day coordinated effort to capture recording of seniors taking “the walk” — receiving diplomas and congratulations from staff with family members looking on. Grads were assigned time slots to come in to the school auditorium with rigid social distancing protocols in place that included one-way foot traffic.
There were hats and gowns, Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background and grads posing for photos with family members. It was however, missing the fanfare and the large crowds associated with a class of more than 200 graduates.
It was the next best thing in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The videos taken over the next several days are to be compiled with student speeches for viewing on a big screen, “drive-in” style in the parking lot of Ocean Beach Park on June 22. Families can sit in their cars — two spaces apart — tune into a station on their radio to listen in as the ceremo
ny unfolds. Ocean Beach Manager Dave Sugrue has blocked off a section of the lot for the graduation ceremony.
Laurelle Texidor, director at the STEM Magnet High School and interim director at New London High School, said the behind-the-scenes effort to make this year’s graduation special was the work of a committee composed of staff, students and community members. Safety was at the forefront of the planning. Surveys were sent out and a dozen different ideas were considered before final recommendations were brought before Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie. Ritchie, in turn, cross-checked the options with the local health and public safety officials.
The end result was a threepronged celebration that culminates in a drive-through celebration on June 23 when grads will line up in vehicles and stop at various stations set up at the high school to receive diplomas, yearbooks, gifts donated by the community and see their teachers cheer them on one last time.
Texidor said a lot of work has gone on to coordinate the planning of the graduation and while not everyone will be completely satisfied, she said the reception so far has been positive.
“We are doing the best we can for these youngsters. We can’t please everyone but we’re asking people to support us,” she said.