By Matt Moro
Staff Writer
With graduation taking place on Wednesday, June 17th at 5pm in Waller Stadium, there are a lot of concerns and confusion about the details of the ceremony and how safe it will actually be. Principal Ben Dale’s current plans for graduation are perfectly safe as they satisfy all LACDPH covid guidelines while implementing old traditions such as the commencement program.
As stated by Dr Dale in Costa Connected vol. 29, graduation will seat all 632 students in a grid formation requiring all students to wear masks, and will implement Costa’s original commencement program. After commencement, there will be a recessional for the graduates where they will march out and back to the pre-graduation staging area.
Dr. Dale’s plans for graduation are favorable to attendants and ensure the safety of everyone because it allows a traditional graduation ceremony and accommodates spectators into one group within the LACDPH covid guidelines. As of May 19th LACDPH covid guidelines stated that outdoor seating for live events are permitted with a 67% capacity. As stated by Dale in Costa Connected, this 67% capacity is being satisfied.
The precautions being taken could even be considered exaggerated despite the large audience that can be seated at Waller Stadium. Dr. Dale states, there are so many vaccinated families that are eager to attend, that Waller seating is approved to be maximized at 67%.
Along with the 67% capacity, mask requirements, and a large number of attendants who are and will be fully vaccinated, all socially distanced 632 graduates will be physically separated from the audience throughout the duration of the ceremony. Thus further minimizing the spread of the virus. However, on June 15th there is a possibility LACDPH covid guidelines could loosen which could allow for last minute changes to graduation plans and more leniency. According to CBS Sacramento, health officials say business capacity limits and social distancing requirements will be dropped. If this plan follows through with the state of California then Costa’s graduation ceremony will be able to seat the entire stadium.
Although graduation will follow LACDPH covid guidelines, one may argue that hosting a large event like this still poses risks as covid has not been erased for good. With such a large number of people gathering for graduation, it could be said that one will be put at a greater risk than they will typically encounter from day to day activities. This being said, one would say it would be safer for graduates and their families to attend graduation from home via zoom, or other alternatives like a drive by or simply a less crowded ceremony. However, recommendations and guidelines made by the CDC and LACDPH are to ensure people’s safety, which make Dale’s plans for graduation trustworthy.
Dr. Dale’s plans for graduation are optimal in that they satisfy LACDPH covid guidelines along with further safety precautions. With the ceremony abiding the 67% capacity limit; requiring all attendants, even those who have been fully vaccinated to wear masks; and ensuring social distancing between students and families, Costa’s 2021 graduation will be pleasing to all in the safest manner possible.
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