Caps, gowns and face masks: Midlands graduations look different during coronavirus
Pomp and circumstance were there. So were hand sanitizer and face coverings.
Graduation season is in full swing in the Midlands more than two months after the coronavirus pandemic forced schools to end in-person classes. Two of the area’s largest schools sent their 2020 classes into the world Monday.
The students who spoke at Spring Valley and Lexington high schools focused on friendships, memories and the future, as well as life lessons learned from being the seniors who endured COVID-19’s impact on the country. There was also a sense of gratitude for being able to meet together one last time after other events such as prom were canceled.
“It sure beats having a virtual graduation,” Spring Valley salutatorian Jareer Imran told Monday’s crowd during his speech.
Most high schools in the Midlands are holding on-campus graduation ceremonies — they started last week and wrap up this Friday. The events have many of the elements of a traditional commencement, while also looking different because of the pandemic.
Lexington High had hand sanitizer stations for people to use before entering the football stadium. Everyone had their temperatures taken, and face masks were required.
Social distancing rules are in place at all schools for graduates and families. Each school locally is allowing two or four family members to attend per graduate. Those who can’t attend can catch the events online via livestream. Most schools are opting to not have bands at their ceremonies.
Monday’s senior speeches include quips about their time in quarantine and experiences with virtual learning.
Jackson Goldsmith said during Lexington’s commencement, “Good morning. I’d like to start by welcoming everyone to this special day, especially my fellow classmates as we celebrate our graduation from Zoom — oh wait, I mean, I’m sorry, Lexington High School.”
It was the first time since the 1970s that Lexington and Spring Valley had graduations outside and on campus. Most Columbia-area schools in recent years held ceremonies at the University of South Carolina’s sports arenas, but that was not an option in 2020 because of the coronavirus.
The Richland 2 school district is holding all of its 2020 graduations at Harry Parone Stadium on the campus of Spring Valley High. Lexington 1’s ceremonies are at each high school’s football field.
There’s always a certain organization to how graduations happen. That’s more evident with this year’s on-campus events.
This year, families and students have specific times to arrive, designated places to park and specific gates to enter. There are protocols in place for how and when everyone enters and exits. Workers are on hand to clean touch points in high-traffic areas. Richland 2 is also cleaning the stadium seating areas and bathrooms after each graduation.
As much as possible, Monday’s ceremonies were streamlined, and speeches were shorter than usual. And there was still time to recognize all the graduates by name: 535 total for Spring Valley and 475 for Lexington.
“Graduation looks a little different for us this year, which is a change, but we have been preparing for change for the past 13 years,” Lexington High School student body president Aubrey Ferrell said. “Our class is prepared for adversity better than any other thanks to this pandemic.”
