Presenting the EHS Class of 2020… New graduation format pulled off without a hitch for Elizabethton High seniors
Published 5:45 pm Tuesday, May 26, 2020
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
The old Pomp and Circumstance was thrown out the window on Saturday evening at Elizabethton High School as instead of gathering inside John Treadway Gymnasium to graduate, EHS seniors parked one space apart in the student parking lot and proceeded to pick up their paperwork which made it official – they were now graduates as the Class of 2020.
With a stage set up right behind the football bandstands, EHS principal Jon Minton one by one called out the names of the students who made up this unique graduating class.
Each student made their way to the stage as assistant principal Sheri Nelson with the help of Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour placed the diplomas one by one on a table front and center for the graduates to pick up their diploma.
Some students took the diplomas without as much as a look to those in the parking lot while some took the time to take a memorable selfie or raise their arms in victory for crossing the finish line in their secondary education completion.
Many had taken the time to decorate their caps with decorative writing and even floral designs while many strolled across the stage with their gowns unzipped revealing cool shorts and flip flops on a warm, early summer evening.
It didn’t really matter to most as after surviving through a historic time for education worldwide, they were finally able to put an exclamation to a crazy year as many are starting to look forward to college life at various universities and colleges while some are headed to different branches of the military.
The Elizabethton High School administration along with assistance from the Board of Education needed a standing ovation for making it a memorable afternoon for their students.
While hundreds weren’t gathered in the parking lot with the students, the most relevant of parents, grandparents, and siblings came along for the ride and as their graduate’s name was called, horns honked in a celebratory exhibition acknowledging that their student was finally a high school graduate.
And although this year was much different, many in attendance seemed to like the format a little more as it was more laid back and didn’t lack much of anything as smiles and hugs were still prevalent with friends coming together to congratulate each other on what might be the final day they would all be together as a class.
Once the graduation was completed, the students made their way to the State Line Drive-in as they received final waves from their teachers who had gathered on the backside of the high school to acknowledge them on their way out of the parking lot.
The graduates and family then enjoyed an evening of watching a video put together as a final burst of celebration on this special day.
**All photos by Ivan Sanders with aerial photos provided by John Hutchins.
