Parents Call Hillsborough Graduation Cancellation 'Heartbreaking'

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County high school seniors won't be accepting their diplomas during in-person graduation ceremonies after all.

Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis announced that the school district is canceling high school graduation ceremonies for the 2020 graduating class.

Instead, graduations will be held virtually and each student will be recognized.

Davis said the decision was made following the sharp spike in coronavirus cases in the county in recent weeks.

"Over the last few months, district administrators have worked tirelessly on an in-person graduation plan with increased sanitation measures, social distancing and required masks," Davis said. "However, with the current status of coronavirus cases in Hillsborough County, district leaders have made a decision that we believe is in the best interest of our graduates and their families."

The school district was considering hosting graduation ceremonies at Raymond James Stadium or other venues. However, school board chairwoman Melissa Snively said the effort to sanitize facilities following each ceremony would have been costly and time-consuming.

Therefore, the school district is contracting with an outside vendor to create virtual graduation videos that will be shared with families. Each high school will also celebrate their graduates with drive-thru diploma ceremonies where seniors can don their cap and gown and take the traditional graduation photo with their principals, albeit socially distanced.

The announcement brought mixed reactions from parents, but most expressed disappointment for their children who will miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"This is truly upsetting and as a parent I am literally crying for my children and all of the other graduating seniors of 2020," said Amber McCall. "I personally have two children graduating. There are no words and no actions that can ever make up or replace what these kids have missed out on. Why are our children continually being failed for something they have worked so hard for? This is completely unacceptable and disappointing."

"As heartbreaking as this is, it’s a good decision," said Casey Crone. "The drive-thru ceremonies I’ve seen held in nearby counties have been very nice for the kids. While not perfect, it makes sense for this crazy year."

Jill Carey Rintoul suggested using the high school football fields as an alternative location for ceremonies.

"Why not just have graduates go across stage on the football field with it being videoed for their parents?," she asked. "You can have different times for different letters of alphabet and social distancing can be in effect. That way each student crosses a stage to get their diploma. Maybe not the best but at least it’s a compromise. Hillsborough County, you can do better."

"While I understand the reasoning behind the cancellation of indoor graduation, I do not understand why the plan went straight to virtual graduation," said Jenn Kane. "These young adults have lost out on so much. No prom, no senior awards (which were online and terrible), prom senior spirit week, yearbook signing, senior clap-out, and, of course now, graduation. So much disappointment. Please help me understand why they cannot have a graduation on their school football field with maybe two family members?"

Parents noted that Pinellas and Pasco counties have managed to find ways to host graduation ceremonies.

"As many have stated, this is ridiculous," Michele Moceri Strickler said. "These kids deserve closure and to be celebrated. This could be put in the hands of each school to handle. Again, amazing how other districts and schools managed to do it."

See related stories:

• School's Out But Parents Still Want Graduation Ceremony
• Pasco Schools Reschedule Dates, Locations Of Graduations
• Pinellas Seniors To Have Graduation Ceremony After All