High school principals cope with logistics in organizing graduation ceremonies

The year 2020 has been a year of uncertainty with everyday marking a new task or challenge to society. For high school principals at New Kent and Charles City County, making the best out of an uncontrollable situation to make sure the Class of 2020 is recognized was at the top of their list.

New Kent High School principal Chris Valdrighi and Charles City High School principal Marcus Petty Sr. are gearing up to provide modified graduation ceremonies to recognize the Class of 2020. The modified ceremonies are the result of guidelines that limit the number of people in one place due to the risk of spreading the Coronavirus.

Both school principals are enacting plans to have students walk across stage and receive their diplomas. The ceremonies will be recorded and edited in efforts to produce a seamless graduation video for all to see.

In New Kent, Valdrighi provided basic groundwork for the ceremonies, that will take place from June 8-12. As of this story, approximately 166 of the 225 graduates had signed up.

“We’re going to have graduates park in the bus loop and walk into the library,” he said in an interview. “From there, they will receive their cords and walk from the library down the auditorium.

“Each graduate will be allowed to have five family members with them,” Valdrighi continued. “They will walk across the stage and have their name displayed on a big screen, along with their plans. A post photo opportunity will be available afterwards.”

The New Kent principal said he has already been to a few ceremonies at other high schools, receiving additional ideas on how to conduct the ceremony.

“The ceremonies went very smoothly and were well put together,” Valdrighi added. “They went seamlessly and I’m hoping this one does the same.”

Similarly, in Charles City, Class of 2020 graduates will have a graduation ceremony that will take place June 5-6 at the high school auditorium.

“Students will be able to have four guests as they walk across the stage,” said Petty. “From there, we will have several areas in the canopy where they can have photo opportunities with their family against back drops.

“After the ceremony, we are having a videographer create a film and make it seem like a normal graduation as best as we can,” the Charles City principal continued. “We plan to post it two weeks online after the graduation and make sure each graduate receives a copy.”

As with several people in the community, both principals have tried to ease the burden on the Class of 2020 during the unprecedented times.

“We wanted to make sure that each member of the Class of 2020 realizes they are special,” said Valdrighi. “A group of volunteers went out to each house and placed a sign on the yard of each senior. This is a phenomenal group of young men and women.”

In Charles City, yard signs were also placed to recognize graduates of the Class of 2020. Petty added that the senior class also received some financial relief due to the circumstances.

“This year we cancelled all senior class dues and are paying for their caps and gowns,” the Charles City principal said. “They will also receive a free yearbook, an 8×10 picture to commemorate the moment, and a DVD for their keepsake.”

Both principals acknowledged that the situation wasn’t ideal and that not everybody will be pleased but are hopeful a more traditional style recognition will take place in the future.

“As we continue to watch what the Governor [Northam] mandates, we are hopeful to have a more traditional graduation on the football field while meeting social distancing guidelines,” said Valdrighi. “I can’t make any promises right now, but those are our intentions.”

“The biggest hurdles by far were the guidelines set by the state and governor,” said Petty. “A lot of schools are having a graduation similar to ours.

“If we can get all of the graduates back, we want to recognize them all together,” the Charles City principal said as he wrapped up his conversation. “I’m hopeful it can be possibly a summer or fall graduation or an event such as a football game. We still have a couple of ideas in place, but they deserve their special recognition just like any other graduating class.”