Parades, Toilet Paper Diplomas and Lawn Signs: Images of Graduation for the Class of 2020

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Parades, Toilet Paper Diplomas and Lawn Signs: Images of Graduation for the Class of 2020

By Jaclyn Borowski — May 15, 2020 1 min read

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Across the United States, graduation for the class of 2020 looks different this year. Gone are the days of families gathering together to watch their graduates walk across the stage and receive their diploma alongside their peers. In its place, schools have gotten creative in celebrating this year’s seniors. From car parades to quarantine diplomas made of toilet paper, signs on lawns and across entire streets, here’s a look at some of the approaches schools have taken to celebrating this class’s culmination.

ALABAMA

On Monday, May 12, 2020, Central High School graduates gesture during the first of five live graduation ceremonies at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City, Ala. Over 80 graduates walked Monday night and another 400 graduates will be getting their diplomas over the next four days during similar ceremonies. — On Monday, May 12, 2020, Central High School graduates gesture during the first of five live graduation ceremonies at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City, Ala. Over 80 graduates walked Monday night and another 400 graduates will be getting their diplomas over the next four days during similar ceremonies.
Joe Songer/The Birmingham News via AP

Families wore masks and practiced social distancing during Central High School’s first of five live graduation ceremonies at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City, Ala. — Families wore masks and practiced social distancing during Central High School’s first of five live graduation ceremonies at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City, Ala.
Joe Songer/The Birmingham News via AP

FLORIDA

Math and English teacher Anne Mikos places a decoration on her car while attending the senior graduation car parade on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Fla. Because they cannot celebrate their traditional graduation, the class came together to drive through campus where they were greeted by their families and the school’s staff. — Math and English teacher Anne Mikos places a decoration on her car while attending the senior graduation car parade on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Fla. Because they cannot celebrate their traditional graduation, the class came together to drive through campus where they were greeted by their families and the school’s staff.
Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP

Graduates wave from their cars while participating in a senior graduation car parade on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Fla. — Graduates wave from their cars while participating in a senior graduation car parade on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Fla.
Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP

IOWA

Ellie Tanko is hugged by Abby Tanko (left) and Anna Tanko, 16, after graduating during a diploma delivery to Xavier High School seniors around Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. The school held a virtual prom and is holding a virtual Baccalaureate mass, in addition to the drive-by graduation. — Ellie Tanko is hugged by Abby Tanko (left) and Anna Tanko, 16, after graduating during a diploma delivery to Xavier High School seniors around Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. The school held a virtual prom and is holding a virtual Baccalaureate mass, in addition to the drive-by graduation.
Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette via AP

A roofing crew watches as Ellie Tanko graduates in her front yard during a diploma delivery to Xavier High School seniors around Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. — A roofing crew watches as Ellie Tanko graduates in her front yard during a diploma delivery to Xavier High School seniors around Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette via AP

MISSISSIPPI

Zackary Alexander and his family make their way into Milam Elementary School after they were summoned by school officials from the parking lot for his graduation ceremony, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Tupelo, Miss. The school district divided up the graduation ceremony to five different locations spread over three days with no more than four guests in attendance. — Zackary Alexander and his family make their way into Milam Elementary School after they were summoned by school officials from the parking lot for his graduation ceremony, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Tupelo, Miss. The school district divided up the graduation ceremony to five different locations spread over three days with no more than four guests in attendance.
Thomas Wells/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP

Tupelo High School senior Torrean Albert makes his way across the stage to an empty auditorium at Milam Elementary School as his family waits backstage during his graduation ceremony, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Tupelo, Miss. — Tupelo High School senior Torrean Albert makes his way across the stage to an empty auditorium at Milam Elementary School as his family waits backstage during his graduation ceremony, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Tupelo, Miss.
Thomas Wells/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP

Tupelo High School 12th grade Assistant Principal L.V. McNeal hands out a diploma to a graduating senior at Milam Elementary School, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Tupelo, Miss. — Tupelo High School 12th grade Assistant Principal L.V. McNeal hands out a diploma to a graduating senior at Milam Elementary School, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Tupelo, Miss.
Thomas Wells/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP

NORTH CAROLINA

Neiko Pollard wears gloves while trying on a graduation cap during cap and gown pick-up at Page High School in Greensboro, N.C., on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. — Neiko Pollard wears gloves while trying on a graduation cap during cap and gown pick-up at Page High School in Greensboro, N.C., on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
Khadejeh Nikouyeh/News & Record via AP

OKLAHOMA

Seniors sit on their cars and talk to classmates while waiting for the start of a graduation parade for Bixby High School’s class of 2020 on Thursday, May 7, 2020. — Seniors sit on their cars and talk to classmates while waiting for the start of a graduation parade for Bixby High School’s class of 2020 on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP

A roll of toilet paper sits on an antenna of a car during a graduation parade for Bixby High School seniors on Thursday, May 7, 2020. — A roll of toilet paper sits on an antenna of a car during a graduation parade for Bixby High School seniors on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP

PENNSYLVANIA

Part of East Carbon Street, in Minersville, Pa., is decorated for a neighborhood graduation for Minersville Area High School graduating seniors’ Lindsey Rinaldo, Will Hunter Horan, and Taylor Marks on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. The graduates were all presented flowers and a “quarantine diploma,” made with toilet paper. — Part of East Carbon Street, in Minersville, Pa., is decorated for a neighborhood graduation for Minersville Area High School graduating seniors’ Lindsey Rinaldo, Will Hunter Horan, and Taylor Marks on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. The graduates were all presented flowers and a “quarantine diploma,” made with toilet paper.
David McKeown/Republican-Herald via AP

Minersville Area High School graduating senior Lindsey Rinaldo’s “quarantine diploma,” sits out during a neighborhood graduation on East Carbon Street, in Minersville, Pa., on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. — Minersville Area High School graduating senior Lindsey Rinaldo’s “quarantine diploma,” sits out during a neighborhood graduation on East Carbon Street, in Minersville, Pa., on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
David McKeown/Republican-Herald via AP

TEXAS

Anderson High School senior Teyaja Jones, right, poses in her cap and gown with a bandana face cover, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Austin, Texas. Texas’ stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic have expired and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has eased restrictions on many businesses that have now opened, but school buildings remain closed. — Anderson High School senior Teyaja Jones, right, poses in her cap and gown with a bandana face cover, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Austin, Texas. Texas’ stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic have expired and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has eased restrictions on many businesses that have now opened, but school buildings remain closed.
Eric Gay/AP

Chris Choat, principal at Richardson High School, rides a scooter past a long line of cars congratulating students on graduating in Richardson, Texas, on Friday, May 8, 2020. Choat said that the school graduated 631 seniors this year and he and his staff greeted all those who drove up to collect their caps and gowns. — Chris Choat, principal at Richardson High School, rides a scooter past a long line of cars congratulating students on graduating in Richardson, Texas, on Friday, May 8, 2020. Choat said that the school graduated 631 seniors this year and he and his staff greeted all those who drove up to collect their caps and gowns.
Tony Gutierrez/AP

Kyle Nolan, left on the roof, holds a sign that reads “Mama, We Made It”, as she joins others in a neighborhood parade honoring 2020 student graduates from both J.J. Pearce and Richardson High Schools in Richardson, Texas, Saturday, May 9, 2020. The event was organized by a group of parents who asked neighborhood residents to come out and cheer on the local graduates whose traditional ceremonies were canceled due to COVID-19. — Kyle Nolan, left on the roof, holds a sign that reads “Mama, We Made It”, as she joins others in a neighborhood parade honoring 2020 student graduates from both J.J. Pearce and Richardson High Schools in Richardson, Texas, Saturday, May 9, 2020. The event was organized by a group of parents who asked neighborhood residents to come out and cheer on the local graduates whose traditional ceremonies were canceled due to COVID-19.
Tony Gutierrez/AP

WASHINGTON

Alayshia Baggett, left, hands out homemade face masks as she rides with a mortarboard graduation cap and tassel on her car Tuesday, May 12, 2020, during a drive-up car parade to distribute caps and gowns to seniors graduating from the Tacoma School District’s School of the Arts High School. All high schools in the district will hold virtual graduation ceremonies, so the event, which required students to stay in their cars, allowed them to be greeted by cheering teachers and administrators one more time before graduation. — Alayshia Baggett, left, hands out homemade face masks as she rides with a mortarboard graduation cap and tassel on her car Tuesday, May 12, 2020, during a drive-up car parade to distribute caps and gowns to seniors graduating from the Tacoma School District’s School of the Arts High School. All high schools in the district will hold virtual graduation ceremonies, so the event, which required students to stay in their cars, allowed them to be greeted by cheering teachers and administrators one more time before graduation.
Ted S. Warren/AP

Han-Yin Hsu, who teaches design at Tacoma School District’s IDEA (Industrial Design, Engineering and Art) High School, holds a sign that reads “So Glad To Be Your Teacher,” Tuesday, May 12, 2020, as she greets students during a drive-up car parade to distribute caps and gowns to seniors. — Han-Yin Hsu, who teaches design at Tacoma School District’s IDEA (Industrial Design, Engineering and Art) High School, holds a sign that reads “So Glad To Be Your Teacher,” Tuesday, May 12, 2020, as she greets students during a drive-up car parade to distribute caps and gowns to seniors.
Ted S. Warren/AP

Graduating senior Josiah Anderson drives a 1950’s Hudson Hornet, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, during a drive-up car parade to distribute caps and gowns to seniors graduating from Tacoma School District’s IDEA (Industrial Design, Engineering and Art) High School. — Graduating senior Josiah Anderson drives a 1950’s Hudson Hornet, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, during a drive-up car parade to distribute caps and gowns to seniors graduating from Tacoma School District’s IDEA (Industrial Design, Engineering and Art) High School.
Ted S. Warren/AP

Jaclyn Borowski

Visuals Editor, Education Week

Jaclyn Borowski is the visuals editor for Education Week leading video and photo initiatives.

A version of this article first appeared in the Full Frame blog.

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