Education

Westchester to host virtual HS graduation ceremony

A high school graduation ceremony is a rite of passage that occurs only once in a lifetime for students, as they close the chapter on their high school years and
embark upon their college careers. It is a time of accomplishment, a time of reflection, a time of hope for a promising future— and a celebration for all who
have worked so hard to earn their high school diploma. Although the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered high school graduations as we know them, county
government wants to make sure that all hopes are not dashed for a 2020 graduation ceremony for Westchester’s seniors.

We are asking all community leaders, teachers, parents, grandparents and siblings to record a short video on your smart phone to say congratulations and best
of luck to the high school senior in your life. The video does not have to be long, and it is an easy way to get the entire community involved in a “virtual”
graduation ceremony. Our high school seniors deserve to hear your words of praise, and know you are proud of all they have achieved.

This move by the county follows a national trend of high school and college graduations ceremonies being canceled due to the coronavirus as impromptu
virtual ones sprang up. The biggest of which was a two-hour CNN primetime special that aired on Saturday, May 16 to celebrate the millions of students whose
graduations had been canceled.  The second portion, “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020,” was a massive virtual commencement
headlined by President Barack Obama.

If you would like to participate in the Westchester County project, send your video to Communications@WestchesterGov.com.  Eventually, we will have a string
of congratulatory messages from citizens all over the county, in honor of Westchester County’s graduating Class of 2020. The deadline to submit a video is
June 6. (Submitted)