As we head into the beginning of summer, our minds are usually filled with plans for graduation ceremonies and parties. With the pandemic, these celebrations will understandably look different for the classes of 2020. But you can still make this a special time for the graduates in your life.
Here are some quick and easy alternative graduation suggestions to help students and families celebrate each other, say their goodbyes, and look to the future with hope and resilience.
Schools: Honor Graduates on Social Media
Creating social media posts for graduates is probably one of the first ideas that spring to mind. But consider how you can make this virtual honor even more special. Instead of adding a group page to the school’s website, do something to honor each individual graduate. For example, it’s easy to use Canva to create Senior Spotlight social media banners with photos for each senior and a few fun facts.
You could also encourage everyone in your community to participate in creating Instagram stories, like this school in Switzerland, which would be similar to putting together a slideshow for graduates. Get other students involved too. Reach out to student club leaders and encourage them to tap into their members’ creative ideas.
Schools: Incorporate Graduate Traditions
Try to keep as many of the regular graduate traditions as you can. For instance, if your school takes a group photo of all the seniors in their caps and gowns, ask students to share their own photos dressed in their “garb.” Even if you’re choosing to forego the traditional, crinkly, wrinkly gowns, follow the lead of the many students who have gotten creative using everyday items around the house, such as garbage bags, yarn, and cardboard boxes, to fashion caps and gowns for their “fauxmencement ceremonies.”
In addition, this may be the perfect excuse to come up with some new traditions. One recent MBA graduate was inspired to launch an initiative to gather and upcycle graduation gowns into personal protective equipment (PPE). Encourage graduates to celebrate by donating to Gowns4Good and other causes to help those impacted by COVID-19.
Parents: Watch Virtual Commencement Ceremonies Together
Just because your child’s university or high school isn’t doing a regular ceremony where students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, doesn’t mean you have to skip the inspirational speeches. In fact, the many virtual addresses given by prominent politicians and celebrities present a unique opportunity to customize your experience. Alternatively, you could deliver your own commencement speech for your graduate.
Parents: Host a Graduation Party via Zoom
Graduates from kindergarten to high school seniors to college seniors miss their friends and will enjoy seeing all of them, even if the celebration must be virtual for now. Invite all the family and friends you would have otherwise hosted in the backyard, bring the food, the drinks, the music and have a blast!
Also, it’s easy to organize a surprise drive-thru graduation parade for your graduate. All you have to do is choose a time and a place (e.g, your neighborhood, a nearby parking lot) and make the announcement. Friends will show up with signs and balloons decorating their cars. Even with social distancing, you can create a party that your graduate will never forget.
Believe it or not, there will come a time when social gatherings, graduation ceremonies, and parties will be possible again. You can also sit down with your graduate to plan an amazing, epic party for whenever it’s safe for all of us to come together again. Such a gesture shows how much you care and that you know how hard it is to be forced not to celebrate this big milestone in the traditional ways.
Life may look different these days, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t find easy ways to celebrate our big accomplishments. With a little imagination, we can still celebrate our graduates and wrap up this school year together, even while being physically distant.
What are your ideas for alternative graduation ceremonies and parties in the next few weeks?