NORTHFIELD — While schools across the country are looking for alternative ways to hold their graduation ceremonies amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District may have found a solution, thanks to the Northfield Drive-In.
Julia Wiggin, the new owner of the 72-year-old drive-in with her husband, Steven Wiggin, said she offered to host graduation ceremonies at the drive-in and, in just four days, she has heard from six schools who are interested in holding drive-thru commencement ceremonies.
Pioneer Valley Regional School Principal Kevin Burke said the school’s commencement is scheduled to be held at the drive-in on June 4, with a rain date of June 8. It will be broadcast online, but the in-person event will offer something closer to a traditional ceremony for the 40 graduates of the Pioneer Class of 2020.
“We’re moving forward with a way to recognize our seniors,” he said.
According to Burke, there is a lot of parent and community support for a drive-thru ceremony. Most students also recognized it would be a good community event, despite being upset they aren’t getting a traditional graduation.
“They realize this is a step beyond a virtual graduation,” Burke said. “Even though we’ll be in cars, we’ll be there together. … They can cheer for each other and walk to the stage to get their diploma.”
While some students wished to hold off until a standard, in-person graduation ceremony could be held, Burke was concerned a delay would see graduates leave the area for colleges, the military or job opportunities. June, he said, could be the last chance for the entire Class of 2020 to be together, in person, for a ceremony.
The June 4 ceremony will still begin at Pioneer. Students and their families will join in a “commencement drive” from the school to the drive-in off of Route 63. Burke said the Northfield Police Department will escort the caravan, and families are encouraged to decorate their vehicles.
During the graduation ceremony itself, families will be asked to remain in their vehicles — except for the student earning his or her diploma. No tailgating or setting up lawn chairs will be allowed, and vehicles will need to park in every other space to allow for social distancing. Burke advises families not to get out of their vehicles to take pictures; a photographer will be hired.
According to Burke, the valedictorian, salutatorian and class president will still speak. There will also be a video feed projected on the screen to ensure everyone can watch from their vehicles.
As new owners of the Northfield Drive-In, Julia and Steve Wiggin look forward to giving back to the community by hosting the drive-thru graduation ceremonies.
“We don’t want students feeling left out,” she said. “Anything we can do to help end their academic and high school year would be great.”
In addition to the graduation ceremonies, Julia Wiggin said local churches have inquired about holding evening services at the drive-thru. She said services would need to be held after sunset, so the live video could be seen projected on the screen.
As of Thursday, April 30, Julia Wiggin said the Pioneer Valley Regional School is the only school they are confident will hold its high school graduation ceremony at the Northfield Drive-In Theater.
Other schools have inquired about hosting ceremonies, but they are not locked in at this time. They include the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School, South Hadley High School, Longmeadow High School and Leverett Elementary School, for its Sixth-Grade Farewell.
New Hampshire schools that have inquired include Hinsdale High School, Hopkinton Middle High School and Winchester School District, for its eighth-grade graduation. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu recently extended the stay-at-home order through the end of May, and the Wigginses will seek a special variance to be able to host a May 29 graduation, should a school decide to hold its commencement activities at the Northfield Drive-In Theater.
In addition, Juila Wiggin said they were considering hosting the Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts’ Gold Award Ceremony and Silver Award Ceremony.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.