Class of 2021 Graduation: What Will It Look Like?

The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly shuffled arrangements and gatherings of all kinds. At times it can be easy to forget how different life was before the pandemic. As graduation for the class of 2021 approaches, we are left to wonder what the final send-off for seniors will look like this year. Fortunately, Pennridge has satisfied our curiosity, providing insight into what it has been planning. Graduation last year at Pennridge, took place in a fashion never seen before. Graduating students went to the high school at scheduled times and were recorded receiving their diplomas in the auditorium. All the recordings were compiled and released in a live stream to try and create a traditional feeling graduation ceremony. Considering the tight time frame for the planning of this event, Pennridge did well. Although time has passed, and our understanding of Covid-19 has progressed along with the development of several vaccines, new possibilities have arisen. 

Under ongoing pandemic circumstances, Pennridge has tried its best to provide a traditional graduation experience to the class of 2021. In a memo released to parents and students, the plans for senior events were revealed. Events will begin on Helman field on June 4th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the Senior Celebration (Prom). This year’s prom will have no fee for entry but will be closed to students from outside of Pennridge. A car decorating contest will take place as part of prom and an unknown special ending at 9:30 pm. Following prom will be cap and gown distribution on June 11th. Students will collect their cap and gown along with their parking pass from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with time slots allotted to students based alphabetically on their last names. Graduation rehearsal will take place on June 14th in the auditorium, with the class of 2021 being split into two groups to be determined on June 11th. Group A will rehearse at 9 a.m. and group B at 11 a.m. Graduation will take place the day after rehearsal at 10:00 a.m. on June 15 at Helman field. This year’s graduation will be traditional, with the whole class of 2021 present on the field at the same time. Due to Covid-19, the students will be limited to six tickets and two parking passes meaning that six guests can come for each student, but they can only use one parking space. Masks are a requirement at all times during graduation. Students will have the opportunity for a final bus ride; they should arrive at their elementary schools from 8:15 to 8:20 a.m. on June 15 for a bus ride to graduation.

Many of last year’s class of 2020 were left disappointed after missing out on many traditional senior events. At the time, the circumstances of the covid-19 pandemic made many of the events students look forward to all year impossible. In an interview, Pennridge Highschool senior Teagan Shelly stated why she thinks senior events are important, “I think it’s important to be able to experience these events because they will be a memory to look back on once high school is over. Most people get to experience these events without any issues, so I’m glad we are able to have something even though it’s not what everyone expected.” For many, the events leading up to graduation stand as some of the most nostalgic memories from all of high school. The pandemic has proven that it is a real privilege to have these memories at all. Another Pennridge senior, Taryn Reigle, further reinforced this sentiment stating, “I would be really sad if we missed out on these things. They’re something that everyone does senior year.”