Graduation 2020: Drive-in and Deconstructed

Susquehanna Community’s Elizabeth Barnes offers a peace sign to crowds of well-wishers who lined Susquehanna’s Main Street for the parade celebrating the Class of 2020 graduates on Saturday, June 13. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON

Three of the county school districts held graduation ceremonies over the weekend, offering up commencement experiences beyond the expected norms.

Montrose Area began its “deconstructed” graduation Thursday, with members of the Class of 2020 reporting to the high school at a scheduled time to walk across the auditorium stage to receive their diploma. A video compilation will be provided to all the graduates and include the traditional speeches. Montrose Area plans to hold a ceremony in the stadium when possible later this summer.

Forest City Regional and Susquehanna Community held drive-in style ceremonies, with speeches delivered from a stage while graduates and guests remained in their vehicles.

Susquehanna’s ceremony was followed by a parade through from the school to Main Street where the Class of 2020 was greeted by well-wishers lining both sides of the street.

Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center held its ceremony on Tuesday, June 16, and Elk Lake will graduate its seniors on Saturday, June 20.

Blue Ridge High School held a virtual ceremony in May with graduates walking the auditorium stage to receive their diplomas which were presented to them by their parents. The event was videotaped and the district plans are to hold a drive-in style on Saturday, June 20.

Mountain View held its socially distanced ceremony on Saturday, June 6, in the elementary school parking lot.