Virtual graduation: The Class of 2020 is officially graduating online because of COVID-19

BY ALYSSA KHAN

Students all around the world look forward to the end of attending school: senior year. It’s the final year that rewards seniors for all the time and effort they put in for over a decade of schooling.

However, due to the COVID-19 disease and social distancing procedures, the Class of 2020 has it different than they planned. Prom, Grad Bash, their final moments with their peers and graduation have all been canceled.

As Florida was “shut down,” seniors waited desperately to hear the fate of their graduation. On April 22, Superintendent Robert Runcie sent out an email notifying Broward County students, teachers and families that the graduation for the Class of 2020 will be held virtually.

Runcie announced that there will be virtual graduation ceremonies held for each high school between Monday, June 15 and Sunday, June 28, 2020. The information shared within these updates was expected but still disappointing for many CCHS seniors. 

“I am really upset that we are having a virtual graduation. I feel that I have been working hard for so many years and that it sucks that it needs to end this way,” senior Lauren Nassi said. “I understand why they have to do what they are doing, but I feel there are other solutions which sucks because we don’t get a say in what is going on.”

“I feel that I have been working hard for so many years and that it sucks that it needs to end this way.”

After the release of the email update, negative feedback directed at the district started pouring in, prompting Runcie to send out a tweet regarding their concerns. 

“@browardschools will continue to monitor safety conditions in Florida around #COVID19,” Runcie tweeted. “If the situation changes and it becomes safe for our students to experience traditional on campus commencement ceremonies, I guarantee you, we will be the first to start planning.”

Some seniors and their parents feel like the district is giving up. Many argue there can be another, more rational solution to make the seniors feel more content as they exit high school and have taken to various social media platforms to share their opinions.

“I think virtual graduation is absolutely unfair and that they should definitely find another date in the summer to have some sort of in-person ceremony,” senior Sarah Salamon said. “There are some friends and teachers that I would like to see in-person and thank for all the memories, so I hope that can happen.”

CCHS’s virtual graduation will be taking place on Tuesday, June 16 at 4 p.m. and can be streamed live on BECON TV and YouTube. 

Photo courtesy of Broward Schools