San Marino High’s Class of 2020 Opts for a July 31 Graduation
Despite recent news permitting drive-through processions and car parade celebrations in Los Angeles County, San Marino High and its Class of 2020 remains committed to a July 31 graduation date.
With pandemic-prompted restrictions on public gatherings and uncertainty as to an exact date for when restrictions might ease, San Marino High quickly began reimagining important end-of-year activities, making Titan seniors’ voice and choice the compass for this journey.
“I believe one of the greatest factors for sticking with July 31 for graduation is the hope that it carries with it,” said San Marino High senior Grace Davis, who is also the San Marino High Class of 2020 Associated Student Body Vice President and San Marino Unified School District’s Student Rep to the Board.
The hope found in postponing the San Marino High graduation to a date later in the summer, Davis explained, is the possibility that public health and safety restrictions may be further eased, allowing for a more traditional graduation ceremony.
Davis has taken part in nearly weekly virtual meetings with a collective of San Marino High student leaders, teachers, staff, and administrators. This “Senior Activities” group was formed in a swift response to the San Marino Unified School District’s announcement, on April 1, of physical school closures for the remainder of the academic year. The focus of the group has been to brainstorm on dates and contingency plans for celebrating important senior events. The group’s efforts have been guided by data collected from surveys sent to San Marino High seniors.
In an initial survey sent to Titan seniors, 87% ranked graduation as the most important senior activity, with 90% of seniors preferring an in-person graduation to a virtual graduation. Based on the data, San Marino High’s Senior Activities committee communicated July 31 as this year’s graduation date. Listed as a possible contingency plan for that date is a drive-through procession.
“Graduating from San Marino High School surrounded by your classmates, friends, family, and the educators who supported you along your four-year journey is such a gift, said San Marino High Principal, Dr. Issaic Gates. “I, too, have a son who’s graduating from high school this year, and I know hope for the traditional “pomp and circumstance” far outweighs the notion of having what’s convenient.”
News broke on Friday morning, May 22, that car parades and drive-through processions in Los Angeles County would be permitted, with neighboring school districts already scheduled to hold drive-through graduation celebrations this week. In a video update to the community, San Marino Unified Dr. Jeff Wilson, joined by San Marino Police Chief John Incontro, spoke about the newly approved drive-through option for promotions and graduation.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the San Marino Police Department and Chief John Incontro, who have kept us daily informed on these breaking developments, and we are grateful to our City officials and their efforts to support timely graduation options for our San Marino High seniors,” said San Marino Unified Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson. “Ultimately, we want to recognize and honor our seniors aligned as closely as possible with their hopes for graduation and other quintessential Titan senior events.”
In response to this news, an expedited survey was sent to Class of 2020 students to determine whether a drive-through graduation procession on May 29 (the high school’s pre-pandemic graduation date) would be preferred over the original July 31 plans. The survey revealed that 24% more of the senior class would be available and willing to participate in a July 31 (87% said “yes”) celebration compared to those who would be interested in a May 29 car parade.
“I think a lot of seniors made plans for July 31 being our graduation date,” said Davis, who also explained students might have been caught off guard by the last-minute option of having a drive-through graduation this week.
For San Marino High seniors, graduation and Grad Night invariably go hand-in-hand.
“The Grad Night committee and all those that are supporting the effort are planning daily for a special night for the seniors, whether it’s July 31st or a later date, said San Marino High Grad Night Chair Beth Davis. “We are committed to ensuring this class gets their special celebration just like the 65 classes before them!”
Additionally, San Marino High’s administrators held a virtual “Coffee with the Principal” event on Tuesday afternoon to connect with its Class of 2020 parents to provide an opportunity for additional discussion and questions.
“At the end of the day, I think our seniors are simply grateful that we are continuing to work and try to create the most memorable experiences possible if we are unable to hold these events in a more traditional manner,” shared Davis.