'Drive-in movie' type of ceremony planned for South Side High School graduation

This year’s graduating seniors will have a very different type of commencement ceremony, but after months of being apart, the South Side High School Class of 2020 will have a live ceremony at a single location. On June 26, graduates will head to Nassau Coliseum for a “drive-in movie” type of ceremony.

“Our goal is to give students a ceremony that dignifies their accomplishments, in one place,” Principal John Murphy said. “This is a place where everyone feels safe and comfortable, we have enough space to maintain distance, and it’s still close to Rockville Centre.”

Murphy had been actively seeking a venue for weeks after it became clear that the students really preferred a single location rather than a split ceremony. Murphy disclosed the details at last week’s Board of Education meeting and confirmed them once the contract was finalized on Friday. He sent a “save the date” letter to the seniors on June 5 informing them of the plans. The ceremony will be displayed on a giant LED screen and broadcast on an FM radio station so they can listen from the car.

Only one car per graduate will be permitted into the lot, but Murphy said the venue can accommodate all 300 graduates. After the ceremony, which begins at noon, the community will have a chance to celebrate the Class of 2020 with a parade back in Rockville Centre, which starts at 3 p.m. The parade route will be the one followed for the Homecoming Parade, from Sunrise Highway to the high school.

In addition, a video tribute to the class of 2020 has been created, which will air locally. More information will become available as the graduation date gets closer.

Last Friday, the seniors had a bittersweet day as they returned to the high school to pick up their belongings. As they cleaned out their lockers, members of the PTA made it a celebratory event by playing music and decorating the hallways with flowers and balloons. More events for seniors are planned in the coming weeks.