Timmins High and Vocational School won’t have a traditional graduation ceremony this year, but it promises to be exceptionally special.
The physically distanced ceremony will be held in the parking lot of the Archie Dillon Sportsplex next Tuesday night. Principal Greg Vincze says everyone will stay in their cars as video is projected onto a giant screen. Diplomas will be handed out one student at a time.
“Obviously we’re going to be using all the sanitizers and gloves and masks that we need to use,” the principal remarks, “and only a couple of teachers on the front: one saying names at the podium and one actually putting the diploma on a table for them to pick up.”
…But no hugs or handshakes.
Vincze says it’s very untraditional, but the grads will always remember it.
“These kids were born when 9/11 happened or a year after, give or take, and now they’re graduating in a pandemic. So,” he pauses for a short laugh, “these experiences seem to be part of their life, I guess, so it definitely will be memorable.”
Curbside style pick-up of graduation gowns and caps took place Wednesday in the TH&VS parking lot, where teachers and grad committee members cheered on the students.