East Hawaii high schools must now consider new ways to celebrate the class of 2020.
The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that “alternative celebrations” will take the place of traditional commencement ceremonies this year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
During a Facebook Live stream Wednesday morning, state Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said the DOE had considered other measures, such as delaying graduation ceremonies until the summer.
After conversations with county mayors and state leaders, however, the DOE decided to have alternative celebrations in the latter part of May, when graduations are traditionally conducted, she said.
The alternative celebrations could include e-conferencing or possibly, for smaller high schools, drive-through celebrations.
Each high school will decide when and how to celebrate, and principals will issue the date of their celebrations next week, Kishimoto said.
In the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area, Hilo High School Principal Jasmine Urasaki and Waiakea High School Principal Kelcy Koga were discussing such plans with Complex Area Superintendent Esther Kanehailua on Wednesday afternoon.
“We kind of knew that that was probably the most favored decision as each day went by, so we tried to talk to the students and the faculty and tried to get feedback of what they would like (to do),” Urasaki said about the DOE’s decision. “… For us, it’s (about) getting more feedback from students, because it is their graduation. It is something they’ve worked so hard for. We want them to have a say as much as possible.”
At Waiakea High, Koga said there also have been preliminary discussions between himself, the student government and parents.
“I really don’t think the superintendent’s announcement today was really a shock to anyone,” he said.
Kanehailua said it would have been too difficult to postpone graduation ceremonies.
“For seniors moving on to higher education, military (or) work, it wouldn’t be fair, either, to delay it and have it later,” she said.
In a survey of Hilo High seniors to see what they would prefer if traditional ceremonies were canceled, Urasaki said most students wanted to postpone graduation until a later date.
The second idea was a “drive-through” style celebration, while a third option suggested by students was a graduation video. A few students said they didn’t want any kind of celebration if graduation was canceled, she said.
“I think what’s important is that so many of the adults have really taken into consideration how the students feel about this,” Kanehailua said.
Urasaki said at the beginning of the COVID crisis, many seniors were first shocked, then upset, but are now making the best out of the situation.
Koga said students at Waiakea High had the same sentiments.
“It’s definitely sad that our commencement got canceled this year,” said Waiakea High senior Isaiah Kanno. “Graduation is important to us as seniors as it celebrates and marks the end of our high school journey, and it also signifies all the hard work we accomplished throughout high school.
“It’s definitely a heartbreaking announcement to my fellow classmates and I, but the only thing we can do from here on out is to look at the bigger picture and work together to overcome this devastating situation.”
For his part, Kanno said he’d like to see a banquet or get-together planned for his class once the pandemic dies down.
No decisions have been finalized for either Hilo or Waiakea, but Koga said the two schools will try to ensure their celebrations are similar.
Honokaa High will have its alternative ceremony Saturday, May 23, said Principal Rachelle Matsumura.
“We are excited about our many options and are looking at having a hybrid function where students will be able to get their diploma in a drive-through area on campus and have virtual guest and student speakers,” she said.
Matsumura said the school will get input from parents and students regarding the ceremony, and a survey will go out to families by Friday to evaluate what kind of ceremony would best fit their needs.
“We know that having the students wear their purchased graduation cap and gown is a big deal that shows their accomplishments for 13 years of schooling,” Matsumura said.
Other East Hawaii high school principals did not immediately respond to emailed questions from the Tribune-Herald.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com