MLHS seniors pick up caps and gowns in drive-up distributions
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake High School counselor Enrique Tarver hands a cap, gown and award to a graduating senior Monday morning.
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School seniors were picking up their graduation packets on Monday — but for the Class of 2020 it was a different experience, different from any other class in school history.
The state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak canceled the last two and a half months of school and the graduation ceremony along with it, at least in its traditional form. But there will be a graduation, including caps and gowns.
High school officials set up stations at the six sites chosen for graduation 2020 ceremonies. On Monday morning counselors, teachers and parent volunteers handed out caps and gowns, along with year-end awards seniors had earned.
Circumstances changed distribution dramatically. It was all drive-thru.
“This is for you, my friend,” said counselor Enrique Tarver as he handed the packet through a car window at Lions Field.
Graduation is still scheduled for June 5. But it will start with a parade through town before families disperse to the six sites, where students will pick up their diploma covers and pose for pictures. The sites are MLHS, Chief Moses Middle School, Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, Peninsula Elementary, Lions Field and the parking lot at the Surf ‘n Slide water park.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].