Virtual Graduation Set For Bridgewater-Raritan HS Students

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan High School seniors will have a graduation but it will not be a traditional graduation as many had envisioned due to the coronavirus. Principal Dr. Charles Ezell released a video outlining the virtual graduation plans that also involve community residents and businesses.

"The requirements for social distancing means that it will look different than it has in past years, but it will still be familiar," Ezell said of the graduation for the class of 2020.

During the week of June 1, graduates will receive their caps and gowns. The week of June 8 will be the school district's administrators' week to celebrate the graduates.

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Township businesses and residents will be asked to place signs on their window, lawns, on cars and anywhere else saying "BRHS Class of 2020 United Apart", "because while we are apart we are still united," Ezell said.

On an appointed day an administrator will then come to a graduate's home with a bus sporting a banner celebrating the Class of 2020 and bring them a personalized graduation package that will include: a diploma cover, graduation program, keepsake graduation tickets, earned honor cords, non-monetary awards, a BRHS lawn sign that will be different from those offered by the PTO, and other keepsakes as well.

On that day graduates will be asked to wear their cap and gown and can take photos with their family in front of the bus.

Additionally the administrator will also take a photo of the graduate to be used in a digital procession for the virtual commencement. Graduates will also be asked to send a clip of themselves tossing their cap in the air to be used in the commencement.

The prerecorded graduation will be at 5:30 p.m. on June 23 where graduates names will be read out loud with their photo shown.

Lastly at 8:20 p.m. Ezell will ask the entire community to come outside and honk their car horns and make noise for the Class of 2020.

"While this is not what we had expected this will certainly be a great celebration," Ezell said.

Watch Ezell's entire message below:

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