The coronavirus prevented graduations. So West Ada created a new solution.
High school seniors in the West Ada School District won’t get to walk in a traditional graduation this spring. But the state’s largest school district came up with a way to still honor their seniors and bring people together.
It starts with separate online graduation ceremonies for each school June 6. Seniors can then drive to their schools, where teachers, staff and principals will celebrate the students and award them their diplomas and keepsake programs, the West Ada School District announced in a Friday night email.
The mix of online and in-person ceremonies replaces the traditional graduations West Ada originally planned for ExtraMile Arena on Boise State’s campus. The spread of the coronavirus made the originally scheduled dates in late May impossible. The district considered pushing those ceremonies back into July, but assembling students in the summer and hoping for the complete lifting of social distancing orders was a gamble.
“Many emails have come in regarding graduation ceremonies, with heartfelt requests to make sure we recognize our seniors and their accomplishments,” West Ada spokesman Eric Exline wrote in an email to parents. “West Ada staff absolutely share this sentiment and have been researching how to create the best experience for West Ada seniors as possible.”
The online ceremonies are available to family and friends anywhere. They will include speeches from students, principals and West Ada Superintendent Mary Ann Rannells.
The broadcast will announce the name of each graduating student along with a picture. A website will also feature a written profile and picture of each graduate.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 6:45 PM with the headline "The coronavirus prevented graduations. So West Ada created a new solution.."
