While Penn-Trafford seniors may have missed out on many regular traditions this year, graduation will not be one of them. The district plans to hold a senior parade on May 26, followed by a safe commencement ceremony on the football field on the following day.
“We want to make graduation as traditional as we can,” Principal Tony Aquilio said. There will be one ceremony, with students spanning the distance of the field to ensure social distancing guidelines are met.
Each graduate will receive five admission tickets, and the ceremony will be live streamed by PTTV on their Facebook, Twitter and website. The ceremony will be postponed to May 28 only if heavy rain or lightning occurs.
Aquilio asks that students keep their masks on while they take pictures at the high school. They can take their masks off when they line up and for pictures throughout the ceremony.
Last year, the district held two separate ceremonies in July to follow social distancing regulations. They also introduced a senior parade to allow the graduating class to be together with their whole community one last time, a new tradition that will be continued this year.
“The parents and the kids loved it, and it was highly requested this year,” Aquilio said. This year, the parade will start at 6 p.m. the day before graduation, and seniors will ride from St. Barbara’s church to the high school.
Like last year, seniors can decorate their cars, and the bell will be waiting for the graduating class at the high school.
“I hope the community still feels as strongly about these seniors as they did about last year’s,” Aquilio stated. He added that there is no limit on spectators for the parade, and he hopes to see friends and family come to recognize this graduating class.
“As long as the community keeps showing up, I think this is a tradition that will continue for coming years,” Aquilio added.
The community is excited to see a normal graduation ceremony, Aquilio said, and that he always loves to watch the entire senior class walk down to the football field as the sun sets in the background.
“One of my favorite parts of the ceremony is getting to say ‘class dismissed’ one final time as the graduates throw their caps. Everyone is either laughing or crying, and it is a special moment,” he added.
Art teacher Jen Haberberger, who has attended 20 graduation ceremonies, is looking forward to seeing the class of 2021 all together one last time.
“My favorite part is watching them be so excited for their future and so excited to ‘get outta here’, but knowing in the back of my head, that they’ll look back and cherish their memories as a Warrior one day,” she added.
Carleigh Bruno, Staff Writer
The Warrior would like to congratulate the class of 2021!