COVID-19 Complicates Graduation
Structured around coronavirus guidelines, Pioneer will hold two in-person graduation ceremonies.
By Gabriella Vasquez
Structured around coronavirus guidelines, Pioneer will hold two in-person graduation ceremonies.
By Gabriella Vasquez
After a year online, school has finally come to an end for summer, and the senior class of 2021 is preparing to graduate. Despite the administration's efforts to maintain end of the school year traditions, the coronavirus has complicated the process and execution of graduation.
Normally, graduates would partake in a variety of events such as senior sundown, a farewell rally and a graduation ceremony, but this year the school is only hosting graduation. In order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, seniors are divided into one of two groups and may only be accompanied by four guests to an in-person ceremony on the football field. Both are set for Wednesday, June 2, but the first will start at 5:00 p.m. followed by the second which begins at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, those who are unable to watch graduation in-person have the option to stream it virtually.
Students are grateful that they are able to attend this event as graduation was completely cancelled in 2020.
“I’m just happy that I get an in-person graduation and a chance to graduate alongside my best friends,” said Shawheen Ghezavat, 12. “I’ve made so many amazing relationships during the last 4 years and I can’t imagine not graduating alongside them.”
As far as graduation itself, students have played a big role in the composition of graduation in order to ensure that it is as fulfilling as possible.
“Leadership is helping the school with the actual graduation ceremony,” said Ghezavat. “There are a handful of students in leadership that are going to be helping the admin with this year’s in-person and online graduation at school. The leadership class is also working on the farewell rally which is a final goodbye to the seniors.”
Despite the clear efforts made in contribution to graduation, COVID-19 has limited the possibility of senior traditions as the pandemic has made it harder to hold these events safely.
“It was a bit upsetting to find out that we weren’t going to be able to get the same senior events as seniors did in years prior, but it didn’t necessarily change my outlook on graduation or my method of doing schoolwork,” said Alexander Higdon, 12. “I feel as if I didn’t really get any help with information about graduation up until very recently and was left to wonder what was going onI’m a pretty independent person so I was able to figure out my post graduation plans on my own and execute how I was going to get there, but that was tough to do on my own and I wish more seniors received help this year.”
On the other hand, senior parents like Mary Cannon were glad to see that their kids would be able to walk the stage as it didn’t seem feasible earlier on.
“At the beginning of the year, I had zero expectation for having a graduation given the pandemic,” said Cannon. “Since COVID cases are under control in Santa Clara County and because many of us have been vaccinated, the district decided it was safe to have one. I'm really pleased because graduation is an important rite of passage.”
Overall, the school has incorporated as many events into graduation as possible. Despite the effects of the coronavirus, both graduation ceremonies are set to take place in person on Wednesday, June 2.
“I'm satisfied with the graduation plan this year, because the administration has done the best they can in preparation," said Principal Herbert Espiritu. “What's most important is that we provide seniors with the graduation they’ve worked so hard for.”
Normally, graduates would partake in a variety of events such as senior sundown, a farewell rally and a graduation ceremony, but this year the school is only hosting graduation. In order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, seniors are divided into one of two groups and may only be accompanied by four guests to an in-person ceremony on the football field. Both are set for Wednesday, June 2, but the first will start at 5:00 p.m. followed by the second which begins at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, those who are unable to watch graduation in-person have the option to stream it virtually.
Students are grateful that they are able to attend this event as graduation was completely cancelled in 2020.
“I’m just happy that I get an in-person graduation and a chance to graduate alongside my best friends,” said Shawheen Ghezavat, 12. “I’ve made so many amazing relationships during the last 4 years and I can’t imagine not graduating alongside them.”
As far as graduation itself, students have played a big role in the composition of graduation in order to ensure that it is as fulfilling as possible.
“Leadership is helping the school with the actual graduation ceremony,” said Ghezavat. “There are a handful of students in leadership that are going to be helping the admin with this year’s in-person and online graduation at school. The leadership class is also working on the farewell rally which is a final goodbye to the seniors.”
Despite the clear efforts made in contribution to graduation, COVID-19 has limited the possibility of senior traditions as the pandemic has made it harder to hold these events safely.
“It was a bit upsetting to find out that we weren’t going to be able to get the same senior events as seniors did in years prior, but it didn’t necessarily change my outlook on graduation or my method of doing schoolwork,” said Alexander Higdon, 12. “I feel as if I didn’t really get any help with information about graduation up until very recently and was left to wonder what was going onI’m a pretty independent person so I was able to figure out my post graduation plans on my own and execute how I was going to get there, but that was tough to do on my own and I wish more seniors received help this year.”
On the other hand, senior parents like Mary Cannon were glad to see that their kids would be able to walk the stage as it didn’t seem feasible earlier on.
“At the beginning of the year, I had zero expectation for having a graduation given the pandemic,” said Cannon. “Since COVID cases are under control in Santa Clara County and because many of us have been vaccinated, the district decided it was safe to have one. I'm really pleased because graduation is an important rite of passage.”
Overall, the school has incorporated as many events into graduation as possible. Despite the effects of the coronavirus, both graduation ceremonies are set to take place in person on Wednesday, June 2.
“I'm satisfied with the graduation plan this year, because the administration has done the best they can in preparation," said Principal Herbert Espiritu. “What's most important is that we provide seniors with the graduation they’ve worked so hard for.”