By Cori Zaragoza, Contributing Writer
Photos by Cori Zaragoza via Zoom
Many graduating high school students were afraid that an in-person commencement ceremony would be impossible due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and state rules on large gatherings. The San Diego Unified School District, however, had an alternate plan. Graduating high school students from the 19 high schools in the district were allowed to have a safe and socially distanced commencement ceremony in Petco Park, home to our local baseball team, the San Diego Padres.
Each student was given four tickets for family members to enjoy the ceremony from the stadium’s stands. Students sat behind home plate, enjoying speeches from other students, school administrators, and school board members. As each student’s name was called, the graduates walked across the baseball field to receive their diplomas and take photos before exiting at first plate. The occasion was joyous as many students met with friends they hadn’t seen during the pandemic and were happy to be together for one, final time.
