Miami’s high school seniors to get virtual graduations now, in-person ceremonies later

Miami-Dade’s graduating seniors will have the best of both worlds.

Well, the best as you can have it in the throes of a global pandemic. It’s not what hardworking high school seniors expected, imagined or deserved, but on Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Public Schools released official details on what graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 will look like.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho had offered two possibilities: hold intimate graduations virtually, or postpone in-person graduations until all clear, even if months away. He held a Zoom video conference Friday with senior class leaders to solicit their input.

In a tweet addressed to the Class of 2020 on Monday, Carvalho revealed the consensus.

“My friends, not only can we do one, I promise you we can do both,” he said, emphasizing that students hoped that they could come back together as a class once more in the summer or later when restrictions are lifted. “Therefore, we are currently planning a virtual celebration ceremony of all of your accomplishments, individually celebrating each one of you. And then, sometime later on, the graduation you so richly earned and deserve.”

Virtual graduation ceremonies will be streamed online May 26 through June 3, although that window may be extended based on which virtual platforms will be chosen. Each graduating senior’s picture will be displayed as their name is called during the virtual ceremonies. Parents and guests will have the opportunity to remotely attend the virtual ceremonies, and administrators at the school, region and district levels and School Board members will be in attendance.

All Class of 2020 senior recognition activities will be planned on a school-site level. But for the next five weeks, the district will highlight seniors through a social media campaign:

▪ Week of April 27-May 1: College and athletic scholarship recipients

▪ Week of May 4-8: Military and first-generation grads or other outstanding achievements, including exemplary community service

▪ Week of May 11-15: Top 10% of graduates and Silver Knight award nominees

▪ Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19: Recognition of all seniors

▪ Wednesday, May 20: Community-wide Senior Recognition Day

The district announced that it has developed a marketing and media campaign to encourage the community to celebrate graduates as part of a district-wide Senior Recognition Day on May 20. The public is encouraged to express congratulations to the Class of 2020 via social media using the hashtags #MDCPSGrad, #Classof2020, #MeetMDCPSGrads and #SeniorSpotlight.

Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie said he expects to release details regarding graduation later this week, according to the Sun Sentinel.