Bethel High School Class of 2020 Choose Drive-in Graduation

It's not what Bethel High seniors envisioned, but it's the next best thing.

Admit it; high school seniors got a bum rap because of a worldwide pandemic. This is not how any senior pictured their high school graduation. They wanted to march down the aisle complete with caps and gowns as family and friends gave them the thunderous ovation they deserved. The following video from St. Mary's School in Lancaster, NY, will provide you with an idea of what drive-in graduation is all about.

Bethel High has devised a drive-in styled graduation ceremony for Bethel's Class of 2020, according to an article on the Newstimes website. The plan is to borrow a large screen from New Fairfield Park and Rec where seniors and their families will watch a virtual ceremony from the comfort of their cars, followed by the awarding of diplomas. Here is what Bethel High Principal Chris Troetti had to say.

We wanted to honor our seniors the best way we could. We feel, aside from having a traditional ceremony, this is the closest we could come and safest we could be.

The ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 18, at 8:30 pm. The virtual service will kick off the festivities with pre-recorded speeches from both students and teachers, followed by the principal or superintendent, wearing masks and awarding diplomas. The following video from St. Mary's School in Lancaster, NY, will provide you with an idea of what drive-in graduation is all about.

 Principal Troetti also includes a drive-thru night on Monday, June 15, which will allow Bethel High School seniors to collect their yearbook and any awards or honors they've earned throughout the school year. Down the road, when the CDC gives the green light that it's safe to gather, the principal would like to plan a get-together for all of the Bethel graduates. I'm wondering if Bethel's 'Blue Sharks' just might show up.

BREAKING NEWS: Read Tim Sheehan's article about 'Lamont: In-Person Graduations OK After July 6'