This week high schools in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam will be holding socially-distanced celebrations for grads that will ensure they get their photo taken, participate in a recognition ceremony, throw their grad cap in the air and watch a graduation video online.
Some, like Riverside secondary in Port Coquitlam are organizing special legacy events, such as the planting of a tree, to recognize this year’s grads, Heritage Woods in Port Moody is holding a special walk through, cap toss and cheer while BC Christian Academy held a drive-in grad, where students were recognized on a big screen while families in decorated cars watched in a parking lot.
Terry Fox secondary school also has a drive-through grad event on Wednesday.
The grad celebrations will culminate this Saturday, June 20, at 8:20 p.m., when families are encouraged to hold a special event for their teen and the community is invited to give a grad cheer in their neighbourhood or on social media.
For Bonnie Stein, a parent of a daughter graduating from Heritage Woods secondary school, creating something positive out of the situation was key after her school’s traditional grad was cancelled.
“The whole focus and point of the June 2020 celebration was to create something positive, we can’t change what’s happening but we can create something positive and safe with our kids.”
Stein and parents from seven other School District 43 high schools wrote letters to city councils, the school board, and approached local media to obtain special recognition for this year’s grads.
The result is special grad week proclamations from the cities, city hall light-ups, photo opportunities, mayor’s messages, special signage, and other socially-distanced grad opportunities in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam.
Even the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is getting involved, asking businesses to provide special discounts for graduating students this summer.
Michael Hind, Chamber CEO, told The Tri-City News that supporting grads is one way to show the community cares and if businesses can afford to provide a discount, they should do so.
“It’s difficult during this time, but if they can — grads happen once in a lifetime and unfortunately grads have their celebration changed — so as a community if we can step up in a small way, we should, especially in this time.”
One business has got involved, holding this Saturday an outdoor grad photo sesssion for students witn proceeds to charity.
As well, the community is reminded to do a graduation shout-out at 8:20 p.m. this Saturday, June 20 (20:20 in military time).
