Let’s hold drive-up graduation ceremonies

My daughter is about to graduate from high school. We were all looking forward to attending the traditional graduation ceremony. Then came the new coronavirus, social distancing and the ban on public gatherings.

The ceremony is a time-honored rite of passage. It would be a shame to lose it, not only for my daughter but for many thousands of young people across the country. From grade school to college, they have worked hard for their diplomas and were no doubt looking forward to the public ceremony.

I have a solution. It’s called drive-up graduation.

In the Los Angeles area, for example, City of Industry has the Vineland Movie Drive-In Theaters. These can serve as a substitute graduation ceremony location.

The huge drive-in screen could show high school graduates and their families as they receive their diplomas. They’d drive up to the front screen stage area when their names were called. Everyone could be tuned in to the screen ceremony, and hear what's going on with their car radios. Parents, students and honored guests could cheer for their friends when they receive their diplomas.

Schools around Los Angeles County could rotate over days and weekends.

Drive-up graduations could happen all over the country, because, yes, there are still drive-in theaters. They have not entirely gone the way of the dinosaur, and COVID-19 seems to be giving them a new lease on life.

We owe it to our children to do our best to give them the ceremony they deserve. We all need something to celebrate in these troubled times. Drive-up graduations might be just the ticket.

Steve Mozena

Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.