Preparations are underway for the Class of 2021's drive-thru graduation, with improvements promised from last year

Class of 2020 graduate (and Highlander editor) Ashten Arnold receives his diploma from principal Joh Bier during last year's drive-thru graduation, which took place in two days, along the breezeway from the South building (130th Ave) to the North building (135th Ave). The graduation stage was erected on the lawn behind the Aquatics Center. Photo by staff editor Isabelle Donahue.

Posted May 2021

By Daryna Bosyuk

Staff Editor

An individualized, drive-thru graduation similar to last year will be held on campus on Friday, June 11.

Graduation will begin with a stop at the South parking lot where seniors will be able to pick up their graduation IDs and cords. They will then be directed to the breezeway, where there will be many stations for them to participate. Some of the stations will include yearbook photos and the distribution of The Highlander Senior Edition. A DJ will provide tunes, and the Kona Ice Truck will provide refreshments. When seniors reach the North part of campus in the breezeway, they will be able to walk across a stage and receive their diplomas from principal John Bier. After 13 years of serving as principal, principal Bier will be retiring at the end of this school year.

All teachers and staff have been invited to participate in graduation. Seniors will be able to sign up for an AM or PM time slot, which will allow friends to pick time slots at similar times. A link was provided to seniors during advisory on May 14 to sign up on a first come, first serve basis. Each student is able to have one car drive through, with their family in their car. Creativity is encouraged and car decorations are welcome. For the first time, seniors may also decorate their graduation caps.

After finishing their drive-thru, the graduates can also choose to go to the North parking lot where there will be more photo opportunities with their peers and families.

“We will plan a graduation following all governor guidelines that will still be special,” said activities director Amber Cowgill. “It will be a graduation seniors will remember.”

DDHS alumni Samantha Westmoreland will be present as a videographer for the entire graduation. Westmoreland was also the 2014 Rose Festival Princess. Video footage of the graduation will be sent a few weeks after graduation to all graduates via email so that they can enjoy watching it with their families.

The graduation event must follow Graduation Ceremony Guidance, Outdoor Entertainment Guidance, and the guidance chart for Risk Categories.