This year’s high school graduating classes in the Long Beach Unified School District will have graduation ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Long Beach City College.
Between June 9 and June 15, Wilson High School, Lakewood High School, Jordan High School and Polytechnic High School will be having in-person graduation ceremonies.
Out of the 15 graduating high schools in the LBUSD, four of these will be held at Veterans Stadium as a result of them having a larger number of graduates compared to the other schools in the LUSD.
“About 1500 to 1400 high school students will be able to participate in graduations at four different ceremonies held at Long Beach City College,” said LBUSD Director of Public Information Chris Eftychiou.
Safety measures are being planned to keep both the students and attendants safe.
Instead of allowing the 11,600 seat capacity the stadium holds, only two-thirds of the capacity will be allowed. This restriction still allows for students to receive up to 6 tickets for guests.
LBUSD is making sure everyone feels safe by placing touchless thermometer temperature screenings upon arrival to the stadium, along with wearing masks at all times and sticking to your area with your group.
Rebecca Clemente, who is graduating this summer from Jordan High School, feels very excited and lucky to be able to walk in front of her classmates over the past four years on graduation day.
“It makes me super happy that me and the other seniors get to have a ceremony to end our high school experience because I think it is a really important accomplishment in our lives,” said Clemente.
Clemente explained that she feared the possibility of a virtual graduation, similar to the ones that were done last year.
“I was scared that my graduation would be online because I got to see how upsetting it was for some people last year that got to experience a virtual graduation and not a real one,” said Clemente.
Although LBCC is allowing for LBUSD to use their facilities for graduation ceremonies, it doesn’t mean LBCC graduates will be a part of any graduation ceremony at veterans stadium.
Administrative Services for LBCC Marlene Drinkwine, explained that LBCC and LBUSD had a long time arrangement to use the stadium for some of their commencements.
LBUSD felt it was the correct decision to conduct these ceremonies in person as a result of the improved COVID-19 health data.