N.J. high school starts mini-graduation ceremonies that will span 6 days

Since the High School Principal’s Handbook doesn’t include an entry on how to conduct a commencement exercise during the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown, it was up to Dennis Vinson, principal at Hightstown High, to write his own chapter.

“It’s a total team effort” Vinson said early on the first day of a unique -- to say the least -- graduation ceremony that will occur over the next six days, in order to allow every one of the school’s 393 seniors to have the experience of walking across the stage to receive a diploma. The multi-day ceremonies are in keeping within state guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, which currently prevent mass gatherings.

Cube shipping containers served to hold banners for the backdrop of a flower-embellished stage set up off a parking lot in the rear of the school.

At their appointed times, graduates drove into the lot with family members and approached the check-in station (masks optional) where they received instructions and moved to the side of the stage for photos in front of a banner, hand-painted with words of encouragement.

From there, a family member picked up a diploma case and took a place on the stage. Their graduate’s name was called by a volunteer staff member and it was the parent who presented the grad with their diploma.

Vinson and Assistant Principals John Perillo and Jermaine Blount were also onstage to offer hands-off support.

“We put so much time into it," Vinson said. “We didn’t really know what to expect, because it’s brand new."

The students seemed to appreciate the opportunity.

“It was fun," said graduate Jessica Alexander as she posed for a photo holding her diploma. "It was a lot better than I expected.”

"I’m just glad that we were still able to do something”, added fellow graduate Zachary Asis. “And have a ceremony like this.”

“Not only did we feel that having them walk across the stage was important, but that is also what our students wanted,” Vinson said. “There is some disappointment that they all can’t be together, but while working within the state guidelines, we are giving them a chance to walk across the stage (in June)."

And in addition, without physically touching, the school is still adding another personal touch. This year’s Senior Awards will be hand-delivered individually to the students’ homes by faculty on June 12, the originally scheduled night for the recognition ceremony.

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Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com.