Senior schedules: Virtual events released to celebrate the Class of 2020

BY SASHEEN JOSEPH

The month of May is usually seen as the last hurrah for the graduating senior class, with earlier final exams, prom and graduation filling their last days of high school. 

Although COVID-19 made many of these end-of-year events impossible, the CCHS administration released a schedule on April 30 with virtual events to celebrate the Class of 2020 throughout May and June.

May 1 was Academic Signing Day, and many CCHS seniors took to social media to announce their post-secondary education and career plans.

The CCHS Class of 2020 created an Instagram page to design a post for each senior, which was made into a senior slideshow for the school’s website.

Among the other events that will be held virtually is Senior Awards Night, which was previously scheduled for May 13. All the events listed lead up to a virtual graduation commencement ceremony that all Broward County public high schools will have. 

According to a schedule newly released by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), the CCHS Class of 2020 will have their virtual graduation on Tuesday, June 16 at 4 p.m. Every graduation will be broadcasted live on BECON-TV and YouTube.

According to a schedule newly released by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), the CCHS Class of 2020 will have their virtual graduation on Tuesday, June 16 at 4 p.m.

With the original graduation being scheduled for Saturday, May 30, many seniors had to cancel their graduation plans, some of the most common being graduation parties. 

“I was planning on having a graduation party, but I had to cancel it. I’m honestly really bummed because I was excited to host it and just celebrate graduating with everyone,” senior Amanda Arocha said. “But even though I had to cancel, I just have to remember that it isn’t the end and that I’ll be able to celebrate and spend time with everyone again.”

While some had their graduation parties canceled, others had to put trips they were planning to take with their friends or family on hold, in addition to the cancellation of Grad Bash.

“I had plans the day after graduation to go on a Disney trip with my friends for a week. We had been planning it for months and it’s disappointing to see it put on pause,” senior Carla Luna said. “But that’s how I view it, as a temporary pause as the world deals with COVID-19 and bigger issues are at hand. As upset as I may be about our situation, I know it could be much worse and that it’s all for everyone’s well-being.”

“As upset as I may be about our situation, I know it could be much worse and that it’s all for everyone’s well-being.”

BCPS had previously stated that they are working on additional plans to recognize seniors. However, between a virtual graduation and picking up their diplomas in the first week of June, many seniors are trying very hard to look at this unconventional graduation the same way as a physical graduation.

“Though the current situation is devastating for all Class of 2020 graduates, this should not overshadow all of their wonderful accomplishments,” Class of 2020 sponsor Claudia Jones said. “Whether live or virtual, CCHS graduates should celebrate their remarkable ability to adapt, which will no doubt help them face the challenges life presents. Best of luck, seniors!”

Photo courtesy of NBC 6 South Florida