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SALT LAKE CITY — Having served on the Granite School Board for the past 18 years, Gayleen Gandy has a special relationship with the seniors of the Class of 2020.
Gandy, who currently represents Precinct VII on the board, was voted into office when the current class was entering kindergarten. So, she’s literally seen many of them come of age in her role with the board.
Among her favorite annual experiences is watching the eyes of each senior as they walk across the stage to receive their diploma every May, signifying they have met the requirements for graduation. Many will go on to college and advanced degrees. But for others, the highlight of high school graduation is a peak achievement — and there’s a special glimmer in their eyes that she enjoys seeing in every graduate’s face.
Which is why she’s excited to share that moment with everyone else this year. On Wednesday, the nine high schools in the Granite School District began rolling out plans that will provide the Class of 2020 with the chance to walk across the stage, receive their diploma, and celebrate with close family members in full cap-and-gown regalia, while observing strict social distancing measures.
Each student’s parents or legal guardians will be allowed to accompany their graduate and film and photograph their child’s diploma walk during preplanned ceremonies at the school. While attendance will be limited — Granite spokesman Ben Horsley told KSL.com that no more than five or six seniors will likely be on campus at a time — it is hoped that parents will be able to experience a unique commencement exercise, unlike anything all but the top school district officials have seen each year.
"I’ve seen that close up — I’ve seen that excitement in their eyes — while their parents and friends see it from a great distance," Gandy said during Tuesday night’s school board meeting. "This year, their parents are going to see in their eyes what I’ve always seen."
All state and county guidelines for public health, including social distancing, will be followed as graduates receive their diplomas, Horsley said. Schools will contact students and parents individually to determine a time to go to the school for their own semi-private ceremony.
At Olympus High, for example, administrators plan to conduct the exercise for eight hours over two days to accommodate each senior, according to Horsley.
The remainder of the graduation ceremony, including speeches by school board members, valedictorians and salutatorians, will be presented virtually at a later date.
"We’re very pleased that we were able to offer an appropriate way to allow students to walk, despite the restrictions that are in place," Horsley said. "We wanted to provide it for students, and do so in a safe manner. We thank the creativity of each school’s graduation committee in coming up with appropriate ways to recognize their seniors."
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several stops and stalls to workforces worldwide because of public health and safety concerns. Among the most-disrupted sectors is public education, which has included a statewide soft closure of schools for nearly a quarter of the school year by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and state superintendent of public instruction Sydnee Dickson.
Plenty of disappointment and sorrow has followed: no senior prom, no senior ditch day, not even a senior night for baseball, softball, boys soccer, track and field, and lacrosse athletes as the Utah High School Activities Association followed the state board of education’s guidelines.
But perhaps the hardest hit area is graduation. Seniors are upset, and naturally so, with the decision to cancel, postpone or shift online each school’s commencement exercises.
Even as a traditional graduation ceremony became more and more unlikely — some schools have opted for online-only graduation, while others have postponed commencement exercises until later in the summer — Granite School District officials hope teenagers and parents can appreciate the unique nature of their own special graduation.
"There’s a lot to be disappointed about, but this year, their parents will see them as I’ve always seen them," Gandy said. "I think it’s exciting. I know it doesn’t make up for not having a traditional ceremony, but it is something that we can appreciate."
