ENFIELD, CT – The 350 seniors at Enfield High School (EHS) received the bad news a while ago. Due to the COVID-19, their senior class traditions such as class night, class picnic, and prom would have to be cancelled. However, due to the heartfelt efforts by many in the school community, the senior class was able to celebrate with a series of unique events during the school’s 2020 Celebration Week, which culminated with a virtual graduation on June 17.

In an email sent to seniors on May 8, Principal Erin Clark informed the students that “our team has been working to identify safe and creative ways to honor seniors including planning a virtual graduation. We have surveyed parents and students for input and have held three conference calls with senior class officers and other student leaders. High school graduation is a milestone moment, and I know there is nothing that can replace an in-person commencement ceremony. However, it is our goal to make this virtual graduation as special and meaningful to our seniors as possible."

The results of those efforts led to a week of memorable events for the seniors, starting with a virtual awards and scholarship ceremony on June 10 for students in all grades. In addition to the presentations, the staff provided a fun and entertaining show.

This was followed on June 11 and 12 by the delivery of personalized yard signs for each senior, delivered by school staff. Students and staff were encouraged to tweet socially distanced selfies or photos of this event using the special hashtag #EHSEagles2020.

The graduates also got to have their moment walking across a stage in their caps and gowns, albeit in a different mode than usual. On June 15 and 16, each student had been assigned a time slot during which their vehicle with family members would drive up to a stage only 15 feet from the road. The graduate, wearing their cap and gown, walked across the stage to the cheers of their family, had a photo taken, and picked up a gift from the Safe Grad committee before returning to their car.

Finally, on June 17, a graduation ceremony took place, produced by a virtual graduation production company run by Hollywood producers and directors. It featured a live- streamed ceremony with a moderated live chat; a slideshow featuring images of the Class of 2020; speeches by students and faculty; student musical performances; the reading of each graduate’s name with their photograph; and an option for students to submit videos announcing future plans and turning their tassels. All graduates were able to download a digital recording of the ceremony as a keepsake.