Celebrating during a worldwide pandemic

Four years of hard work usually ends with a high school graduation ceremony.

It’s a time for students to celebrate their accomplishments with friends, family and school administrators. Just about every senior looks forward to their high school graduation.

It marks the end of their traditional schooling and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Maybe some will go to college or a trade school, while others will enter the workforce, instead.

This year, however, is different.

The COVID-19 pandemic robbed students of traditional end-ofyear events.

Some Antelope Valley Mall retailers that had not yet reopened last week, had prom dresses in the display windows.

It was like viewing a snapshot in time.

Everything came to an abrupt halt in mid-March, when stay at home orders were issued and the majority of retailers closed their doors, unsure of when they’d be able to open again.

As a result, the prom dresses and suits remained on display, even though there were no prom events to be held.

The Class of 2020 is not likely to forget this year.

Not only were they unable to hold their senior proms, but they also were unable to have a traditional graduation ceremony.

Instead, they have become creative in how they celebrate their accomplishments.

Many schools have hosted “drive through graduation ceremonies.” It’s not really a ceremony, but at least the students are able to receive their diplomas this way, instead of having them mailed.

Administrators have planned events for the graduates, so the “ceremony” is upbeat. Rosamond High, for example, planned to use the football and track fields for their drive-through vehicle procession-style graduation.

They planned to have photos taken when the students picked up their diploma jacket.

One vehicle per graduate would be allowed and they’d follow a route down the home side of the football field, where balloons and graduates’ pictures would be displayed.

It’s probably not how the class of 2020 envisioned their graduation, but it’s definitely creative.

These are strange and uncertain times we’re living in, but if we’ve learned anything from this pandemic, it’s how to adapt and overcome, when faced with events beyond our control.