MBUSD offers new graduation plans for Class of 2020

By Katherine Mueller

On May 17th, Principal Ben Dale announced two COVID-19-tailored plans for the 2020 Senior Graduation Ceremony, which will be taking place at Waller Stadium during June.

According to Principal Ben Dale’s Week 9 update, the administration is deciding between two plans for graduation. The first plan allows graduation to commence as normal, while the other offers a student-only ceremony that will be live-streamed to the family at home. For both ceremony options, students will be required to wear masks and to maintain a six-foot distance.

“[Graduation] is a poignant day of reflection and celebration for students and their family and friends,” English teacher Diana Sieker said. “My hope is that the seniors get a ceremony that is both worthy of this momentous occasion and as safe as possible for everyone involved.”

The administration has been planning on having a live or modified live graduation, but has not found a viable virtual option yet. Despite the current laws prohibiting large gatherings, Principal Dale has been planning on petitioning the city of Manhattan Beach in efforts to get permission to have a graduation where students, at least, are allowed to gather.

“I would not attend regular graduation because I don’t think it’s safe to gather in large numbers yet,” Senior parent Sarah Mullen said. “In order to feel safe, I would need to know how administrators would get students in and out of the venue while socially distancing the entire time.”

Though several California high schools, such as Palo Alto and Gunn High Schools, have pushed back their graduation dates due to COVID-19, Costa is not planning on postponing 2020 graduation. However, according to the recent senior announcement by Principal Ben Dale, graduation will either take place on the 11th or 18th of June, per Superintendent Matthews’ request for a live ceremony.

“I would fully prefer to attend live graduation so I can see all my friends before I graduate,” Senior Dexter Brown said. “There are so many people that I only see because of school and I really miss hanging out with them.”

On May 30, seniors will be picking up their graduation attire as well as returning their textbooks. People attending the drop-off/pick up must wear masks and stay inside their vehicles at all times in order to maintain the safety and health of all involved in the process.

“My high school graduation was definitely a special ceremony that I will never forget, but it was just one event and one memory out of countless others from high school.” Diana Sieker said.

According to Ben Dale’s week 11 update, If Costa does not receive permission to hold a live graduation ceremony, then Principal Ben Dale will release details regarding a backup plan. There is no current information regarding this plan, except that Principal Dale will be working with selected seniors and parents in order to create it.

“If Mira Costa gets approval from the county, the PTSA will offer volunteer support and contribute to the overall cost as approved by our members,” Costa PTSA Co-President Ann Marie Whitney said. “I think that having several ceremonies with fewer than 100 students  who maintain social distancing would be our safest option if we have an in-person ceremony.”

The administration is planning on holding graduation at Costa as usual and has not provided any alternative graduation options. There has been speculation within the Manhattan Beach community about other options, such as a drive-through graduation, or having graduation take place on the Manhattan Beach Pier.

“I heard of a high school renting out a drive-thru movie theater where families could pull up in their cars and the ceremony happens on the big screen,” Diana Sieker said. “I love that idea, but I don’t know if that could work at such a big high school.”