Central Middle School Eighth Graders Graduate Drive-In Style

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Having a traditional graduation in school gymnasium is fine, but riding a horse to your pandemic-improvised graduation makes a great story to tell your grandchildren.

When schools in Illinois shut down March 13 and classes moved to eLearning plans and traditional graduation ceremonies were canceled, Central Middle School teachers leapt into action to plan a drive-thru commencement for the eighth-grade class.

Central Middle School eighth-graders drove up in their decorated family vehicles to pick up their diplomas. Darting out of cars into the rain, the graduates grabbed their diplomas and a photo op. Shyair Rowser rode in on a horse.

The school also held a virtual graduation ceremony streamed on the Evergreen Park ESD 124 Facebook page Thursday evening where class awards were announced and inspirational speeches were made.