Ellington to Hold Graduation At Drive-In Theater

ELLINGTON, CT – Members of the Class of 2020 at Ellington High School will graduate under conditions never before experienced in town - or rather, out of town, as the commencement ceremony has been scheduled for June 5 at the Mansfeld Drive-In Theater.

The Ellington Board of Education unanimously approved the graduation plans Wednesday. The event will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for Saturday, June 6.

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"Our graduating high school seniors will have a well-earned and safe graduation that honors their scholastic and extracurricular achievements," school board chairman Michael J. Purcaro said. "The week-long graduation activities that culminate with a commencement ceremony have been carefully planned in accordance with all current public health and safety guidance while upholding our sacred academic traditions."

Principal John Guidry, administrative assistant Karen Rusich and senior class members Jaimee DelPiano, Katelyn Johndrow, Clarrisa Welti, Will Forst and Aidan Caron worked tirelessly soliciting feedback from parents and students, and presented at three public board meetings to ensure the Ellington community had a voice. With an overwhelming number of students wanting to avoid a virtual graduation, it became a high priority to examine various graduation models that had in-person elements, according to a written statement from Superintendent Scott Nicol.

"When the student survey results came back and their number one priority was to have a graduation that was in-person and not virtual, we worked with state and local officials to come up and design the best possible graduation to honor this special class of 2020," said Jennifer Mullin, chairperson of the Communications Committee for the Board of Education.

The ceremony will allow one car per graduate, include in-person adult and student speeches, pre-recorded musical performances and close with a diploma procession. The event will be live-streamed, have two photographers, a videographer and aerial video and photos will be taken from a drone aircraft.

Nicol emphasized the importance of a creative event in which classmates, loved ones and friends could be together while ensuring local and state health measures are strictly followed.

"I have worked closely with the Ellington Board of Education and its administration to provide professional guidance that minimizes the health concerns related to COVID-19," said Patrice Sulik, Director of the North Central District Health Department. "The Ellington Public Schools has made safety and health a priority throughout the planning process."

The school system has declared the week of June 1-5 as EHS 2020 Graduation Week. Seniors will partake in a variety of celebratory events, from a drive-up breakfast, a car parade through town, and video montages and speeches throughout the week leading up to the graduation ceremony.

Board of Education vice chair Jen Dzen said, "It doesn’t just take a village to raise a child. During COVID-19 it takes a village to graduate them as well! We can not thank our ‘Ellington Village’ enough for all their support and guidance through this process."