JSerra Catholic High School Seniors To Have Drive-In Graduation

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — After the 283 high school seniors of JSerra Catholic High School have waited and wondered, their dream of walking across a stadium stage to receive their diploma will be realized.

A drive-in commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at 5 p.m. in which the students will be allowed to leave their cars – in small groups with ample distance between them, according to a school spokesperson.

The ceremony, which will take place at the San Juan Capistrano school’s soccer stadium, will have much of the pomp and circumstance you would expect from a traditional graduation. Parents can expect a musical performance, remarks from the school’s president and a speech from the valedictorian.

However, as schools across the country have experienced, graduation day in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is far from traditional.

True to its roots as an independent Catholic school, JSerra drew inspiration from churches that were hosting drive-in services to devise a commencement event that emphasizes its innovate spirit.

Their hybrid drive-in ceremony will allow seniors to experience the graduation “walk" as they gather that coveted piece of paper that marks the end of an era.

According to President Rich Meyer, the school is mindful of their responsibility to respect the guidelines provided at the local, state and federal level.

"At the same time," Meyer says, "we also embrace our freedom as an independent school to creatively solve the challenges this COVID-19 era presents us. I'm thrilled that we've found what we believe to be the right balance in maintaining the spirit of social distancing norms while celebrating the successes and accomplishments of the JSerra Class of 2020."

Here's how it will work:

Students and their families will drive to the soccer stadium and pull in to marked parking spaces.

For much of the two-hour ceremony, they will remain in their cars and listen to the presentation by tuning in to an FM radio station.

The ceremony will also be live-streamed at jserra.org/commencement2020.

The exciting part comes when seniors, in small groups, will be directed by staff to exit their cars and come to the stage to receive their diploma. Seniors, who will be required to wear masks, will be guided to the stage one by one to receive their diploma. They will then have the opportunity to take a photo in front of a custom JSerra photo backdrop before safely returning to their cars.

All school staff and photographers will be wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. School teachers and staff will be positioned a safe distance apart near the stage to ensure that everyone is being respectful and maintaining social distancing guidelines.

The night will culminate with a surprise finale for the graduates.

“This is an abnormal situation where normal is impossible. While we won’t be able to have a traditional graduation, we can still unconventionally celebrate our past and get excited about our futures in person with those we love: our family, friends and teachers,” said JSerra valedictorian Maria Valentina Osorio. “This is an exciting opportunity to celebrate together after being separated for so long!”

Previously, JSerra announced its first-ever “Senior Swag Day,” in which seniors will drive through the school’s Main Campus parking lot to pick up their cap and gown as well as special gifts that have been hand-picked for the Class of 2020. Teachers will dot the caravan line to wave and say goodbye to their students from afar. That event will take place May 27 at 9 a.m. Out of an abundance of caution, only those teachers and staff needed to help facilitate will be on hand at the commencement ceremony.

“This experience will be a unique exclamation point to the Class of 2020’s JSerra journey. Years from now, future classes will look upon these graduating seniors with respect and admiration for their persevering spirit,” Meyer said.