With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the cancellation or postponement of in-person graduations across Kentucky, Pulaski County High School offered a unique alternative for their class of 2020 — a drive-thru and drive-in ceremony.
In mid-May, students and their families — limited to one car — picked up their graduation materials at the Somerset school. Then in a near empty auditorium — only one family was allowed in at a time — graduates walked across a stage as they were being filmed moving the tassel on their mortarboards.
That video, along with with speeches, was shown May 30 at a special screening at the Twin 27 Drive-in Theater. The class was able to celebrate together while maintaining social distancing, honking their car horns as their names were displayed on the drive-in’s giant screen.
“It’s not normal, so that kind of stinks,” said Kathryn Claiborne, a school counselor. “But I think people are glad they’re still able to celebrate.”
Mara Rogers moves the tassel on her mortarboard during the drive-thru graduation May 20 at Pulaski County High School. Graduates walked across a stage as they were being filmed moving the tassel on their mortarboards. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Jett Phillippi poses for a photo after attending a “drive-thru” graduation at Pulaski County High School in Somerset, Ky., Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
“It’s not normal, so that kind of stinks,” said Kathryn Claiborne, a school counselor. “But I think people are glad they’re still able to celebrate.” Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Hannah Wright takes a photo of her family, Andrew, from left, Lisa, Matthew, Joel and Kolan, at Joel’s drive-thru graduation May 20 at Pulaski County High School. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Johnny Hensley walks across the stage in a nearly empty auditorium May 20. Video clips of students were taken and compiled into a graduation video that later was shown at a drive-in theater. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Onlookers cheer as a parade of Pulaski County High School graduates and their families makes its way from the school to Twin 27 Drive-in Theater May 30 where a grad video was premiered in Somerset. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Pulaski County High School Principal Rodney McAninch is shown on a movie screen May 30 at the 27 Twin Drive-in Theater in Somerset during the school’s drive-in graduation ceremony. To maintain social distancing, the school held a drive-thru and then a drive-in ceremony for graduating seniors. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Courteney BriAnna Carter, a Pulaski County High School 2020 graduate, is shown on the 27 Twin Drive-in Theater’s screen May 30 during the school’s drive-in graduation. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
