North Scott High School leaders dreamed up a May 31 drive-thru commencement and Eldridge parade to create a memorable graduation in this already unforgettable year.
Students will process with their families in vehicles, then step out alone to accept a diploma, but safely move their own tassels.
High school principal Shane Knoche said he aimed for a safe community celebration that allows at least some family members to witness a ceremonial diploma presentation.
“When the governor canceled schools for the rest of the year, it really hit my heart,” he said. “Seniors ended up losing the end of their most important year.”
Knoche said he brainstormed with staff and students on options, and was close to choosing one-by-one processions over two days in an empty auditorium.
But students convinced him otherwise.
“Kids still wanted to be a part of something together with their class,” he said.
Each graduate and his or her family are to arrive in one vehicle and park in assigned spaces in the north parking lot. That will comply with the governor’s limit of 10 at an event. At noon, graduates would get out and pose next to their cars for a first-ever drone video, then get back in for a caravan through the circle drive to the high school entrance.
They would get out of their cars as they approach to accept a diploma cover. All will be captured and offered for sale by a photographer provided by the district. Drone video would be aired live, and be part of a graduation video offered for free online.
Once their picture is taken, the student will get back into the car with their family and proceed to the back of the school. They’ll stop again to pick up the actual diploma, drop off Chromebooks and other supplies, and get a refund check for unused lunch fees.
Students with unpaid fines or fees may return 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. the next day to settle up and get their diplomas.
Then the parade begins.
A caravan of graduates and their families would parade through Eldridge, heading west on Prairie View, South on Eighth Street, and back east on Pinehurst to First Street. Knoche said Eldridge Police Chief Dave Kopatich and Officer Bruce Schwarz collaborated on the route.
He expects those on the parade route to assemble in small groups, or stay in cars to honk and wave.
“We’re trusting the students to stay in the car,” he said.
The district also would schedule a 2 p.m., July 18 traditional ceremony at Lancer Stadium if health guidelines allow it at that time. The rain date would be July 19.
Knoche shared a video about the plan in an email Monday to the school board.
“We already had the date set that we know everyone of our kids, if they wanted to, had on their calendar a year ago. We felt it was important to do the graduation on that day,” he said.
This idea arose after Knoche was unable to find a drive-in or other area to assemble students and families in their vehicles.
He also considered ushering students one by one through the auditorium, with only and administrator, photographer and two other support staff. “That would allow them to have six family members in auditorium,” he said.
At five minutes per student, it also required two consecutive nine-hour sessions, he calculated.
Scott County Health Director Ed Rivers commended the innovation Monday.
"It sounds fun, a lot of people driving by honking horns. And it seems to be consistent with governor’s proclamation Monday," he told The NSP.