Calgary's Class of 2020 gets creative to celebrate milestone, years of hardwork

Instead of walking the stage, Rachael Weed took part in a drive-thru graduation celebration.

"I felt like a princess," said the graduate of Calgary Catholic School District's All Saints High School.

"It was a real disappointment not getting to have a grad, like everybody else before us. They took what happened and made something great out of it."

Traditional graduation ceremonies and banquets for high schools, colleges and universities have been cancelled or postponed around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn't stopped Calgary graduates from finding a way to celebrate.

Parents, educators and school boards have come up with unique ideas. 

'Legendary opportunity'

Weed's father drove her through the makeshift drive-thru graduation outside her school as she peeked through the sunroof.

Her school principal said it was about making the best of a bad situation.

"We wanted to provide a legendary opportunity, so they could celebrate with us and their families," Mike Bolder said.

The Calgary Board of Education chose to cancel its normal graduation events last month, citing the city's decision to cancel all large public gatherings for the time being.

"We know graduation is an important and meaningful milestone for students, families and friends. It is an irreplaceable event that marks many years of hard work, sacrifice and support," said chief superintendent Christopher Usih.

"We feel your sadness in having to cancel graduations and empathize with students not being able to walk across the stage to celebrate their academic achievement."

Alberta Health has limited large gatherings to a maximum of 50 people, who must practice physical distancing at the event.

Members of the staff at Calgary Edge School celebrated their graduates last week. They drove around the city in a convoy, to each of the houses of their 2020 graduates and dropped off special lawn signs.

Henry Wise Wood High School principal Michelle Howell said while they've had to change plans, the school, like many other high schools throughout the city, is hosting an online graduation ceremony.

"We didn't want to lose some of the messages that have always come with a graduation ceremony you have face to face," she said.

"We're having messages from our trustee, our chief, our distinguished alumni, we're having a valedictorian — all those kinds of things that you'd look forward to."

Many schools are also releasing graduation videos.

"For us, traditionally it's in our building and that's super fun that we get the students to share all their pictures and all their experiences," she said.

"It'll look a little bit different this year because we weren't able to do it face to face with them."

At-home celebrations

Calgary mom Tammi Dagley is planning an elaborate at-home surprise graduation for her son, Braydon, of Notre Dame High School.

"He's going to have some close friends and family in, and the rest is going to tune in on Zoom," she said.

"I have a bunch of videos and well wishes and things from friends and families — some as far away as Los Angeles — to show him."

She said she's been keeping the celebrations a secret from her son, who thinks all they're doing is participating in his school's drive-thru grad.

Dagley said that when Braydon was born, she was a young mom and her son struggled early on. But Dagley said they persevered, so he pulled through to graduation.

"He's stayed out of trouble, he attended his classes and he is a responsible kid," she said.

"When you graduate, you kind of expect you're going to be able to walk the stage, and that's the vision he had," Dagley said. 

"But when that doesn't happen, sometimes it feels incomplete." 

Graduation boxes

Universities are also doing things differently to honour their graduates this year. 

"Everything that is happening right now is a little bit of a let down," said University of Lethbridge chancellor Charles Weaselhead. "But we've let them know that they've excelled and that we're celebrating with them."

He said the U of L is joining the ranks of schools around the world hosting virtual ceremonies.

Each graduating student will also receive a "graduation box, with the student's parchment, a commemorative program, a cap and tassel, alumni pin and a copy of a graduation video.

"Since we can't be together, we are asking students to document when they open their convocation box, and their celebrations with family and friends sporting their graduation caps," he said. 

Celebrity shout-outs

Mount Royal University's virtual grad page features video shout-outs from several notable members of their campus community, including Olympian Cassie Campbell and musician Paul Brandt.

Grads are also being encouraged to share photos and videos on social media of how they choose to celebrate their achievements.

The university said that although the postponement of spring convocation ceremonies until the fall is "disappointing," the health of students and staff is their priority. 

"We plan to make it extra special and hope graduates will choose to join us for the ceremonies in the fall," said Phil Warsaba, an associate vice-president.