EASTHAMPTON — An in-person graduation ceremony for the 2020 graduates of Easthampton High School has been canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns and new restrictions on gatherings ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker.
Easthampton High School Principal Bill Evans said city and school officials met last Friday after Baker announced the tighter restrictions, which included cutting the number of people permitted in outdoor gatherings to 50.
Evans said it was quickly determined that they weren’t going to be able to proceed with the graduation, given the restrictions, as 90 graduates had registered for it.
“It was going to be too many people,” Evans said.
While it was unclear whether the ceremony might be exempted, Evans said, the group determined it would not be safe to move forward.
The ceremony was supposed to have taken place this Thursday at Daley Field with strict social distancing.
EHS graduates did participate in a graduation in early June where they received their diplomas in individual recognitions that took place over five days. However, Evans said students had wanted an in-person graduation as well.
“They wanted the real McCoy, so to speak,” Evans said.
The principal said that seniors in Easthampton have had to deal with disappointment after disappointment. And while that’s not like losing a loved one, Evans did note that not having graduation, prom or a class trip is significant and he praised the graduates’ maturity and resilience.
“We’ve all had to bear some sacrifice,” he said. “They’ve had more than their share.”
Evans said he hasn’t heard much reaction to the cancellation of the ceremony.
The school did hold a remote awards ceremony Thursday, which was put into motion after Senior Class President Joseph Hwang approached Evans about it. Originally, the ceremony was supposed to be held as part of Thursday’s in-person graduation.