The Montesano School District provided an as-close-to-traditional graduation ceremony for its Class of 2020 as it could Saturday at Jack Rottle Field.
As soon-to-be graduates staged in the Bo Griffith Memorial Gym, where the ceremony is traditionally held, just outside vehicles carrying their families were brought onto the track around field, two-deep taking up much of the track.
The students, wearing face coverings, marched in to the traditional processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” piped in over loud speakers instead of played live by the high school band. They sat in chairs spread across the field with proper social distancing. Rather than the packed-to-the-rafters graduation experienced traditionally in the gymnasium, aside from the carloads of families, only a few staff members were observing from the grandstands.
The valedictorian addresses were delivered from a stage on the west side of the stadium, while families watched from their cars. Applause mixed with car horns honking at times as speakers detailed their time at the school and the unique and unexpected circumstances that altered their paths toward graduation.
Students were brought across the stage one by one to collect their diplomas. They paused for a moment for an “official” photo, then again as the vehicle carrying their family stopped at the back of the stage for its own photo op. Cars were then directed to the north end of the field, where families could get out and take a picture with their graduate.
Black umbrellas popped up as a light rain began before the final student received her diploma. The new graduates returned to their seats, where they moved their tassels and threw their mortarboards in the air, signalling the end of the ceremony before marching out the recessional “Intrada.”
After the ceremony, a procession of vehicles traveled through town so well-wishers unable to celebrate 2020 graduates in person could show their appreciation.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP The Montesano High School Class of 2020 tosses mortarboards in the air at the conclusion of Saturday’s graduation ceremony.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Vehicles containing the family members of the Montesano High School Class of 2020 lined the track at Jack Rottle Field Saturday to watch their kids graduate.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Members of the Montesano High School Class of 2020 staged in Bo Griffith Memorial Gym before heading out to take their socially-distanced seats on Jack Rottle Field in Saturday’s graduation ceremony.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Cole Daniels and Braden Dohrmann deliver the valedictorian address at the Montesano High School graduation ceremony at Jack Rottle Field Saturday.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP After getting their diplomas, Montesano High School graduates posed for photos with their families, who lined the track at Jack Rottle Field in their vehicles during the ceremony.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP The Montesano High School Class of 2020 tosses mortarboards in the air at the conclusion of Saturday’s graduation ceremony.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Vehicles containing the family members of the Montesano High School Class of 2020 lined the track at Jack Rottle Field Saturday to watch their kids graduate.
DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Members of the Montesano High School Class of 2020 staged in Bo Griffith Memorial Gym before heading out to take their socially-distanced seats on Jack Rottle Field in Saturday’s graduation ceremony.
