Schools embrace in-person graduations with safety in mind

May 27, 2021 | Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM/EAST LONGMEADOW – What a difference a year makes. Unlike the virtual ceremonies that marked the end of high school for many seniors last year, graduates of the Class of 2021 will largely be able to attend in-person commencements, with friends and family on hand to celebrate their milestones. That said, schools are taking extra precautions to keep the ceremonies COVID–19-free.

Minnechaug Regional High School (MRHS), which serves students in Hampden and Wilbraham, scheduled a series of events to celebrate graduating seniors from both of its towns. On May 20, awards were handed out at an Evening of Recognition, followed the next evening by a parade. The seniors, decked out in their graduation gowns, decorated their vehicles for the occasion and were driven throughout the two towns so people could wish them well and celebrate their achievement.

"This was something we did last year and it was a huge success,” said MRHS Principal Steve Hale.

On June 4, seniors will gather at the Minnechaug Track at 5:30 p.m for an in-person graduation. There is a rain date of June 5. In the interest of pandemic safety, seniors will be seated three feet apart. A maximum of four guests per graduate will be allowed to attend and guests will be seated together and socially distanced from other groups. Guests who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask at all times, but masks are optional for everyone else.

The last event for seniors will be a prom at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on June 21, at 6 p.m. Seniors are encouraged to share their post-graduation plans to Instagram via @chaugcommits2021.

June 4 is also the date of graduation for East Longmeadow High School (ELHS). Like MRHS, ELHS is requiring guests to be pre-registered for the in-person ceremony to facilitate the potential need for contact tracing. Groups of up to six guests will also be seated together, yet spaced out from other families by assigned seats.

Unlike MRHS, however, ELHS is mandating masks for all staff, graduates and guests and having a contactless distribution of diplomas. Rather than being handed a diploma and receiving a congratulatory handshake, as is tradition, graduates will take their credentials from a table at the stage.

In light of the limited number of guests allowed, Principal Frank Paige said, East Longmeadow Access Television (ELCAT) will be streaming the ceremony. The 7 p.m. ceremony will take place outdoors in the stadium, with a rain date of June 5, at 10 a.m. In neighboring Longmeadow, high school graduates will receive their diplomas in the traditional in-person ceremony on June 3, at 5 p.m. Like other districts in the area, the commencement will be conducted outside, in the school’s stadium.

One area high school that has already had its graduation is Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA). The private school in Wilbraham graduated 94 students on May 16 during the school’s 217th Commencement Ceremony.  

Rich Clarke, a four-star general and commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, attended via Zoom to confer certificates of appointment to three students who are moving on to attend military academies.

Similar to other schools, each graduate was allowed six guests for the pomp and circumstance, who were spaced out by family, and masks were required unless seated. WMA took the precautions further than most other area schools, however, as they required proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event, WMA Director of Marketing & Communications Teddy Ryan told Reminder Publishing.

Although guidelines for health and safety restrictions were in place, the students were still able to observe traditions, such as the laying of senior stones on the campus’ brick alumni walls, a ceremonial walk through the main gate, crossing the senior bridge and a class photo.

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