166 Morro Bay graduates get a drive-through sendoff, but official ceremony in August
Morro Bay High School saluted its Class of 2020 with an on-campus drive-through celebration Thursday, June 4, in advance of a complete graduation ceremony on Aug. 7.
This year’s graduating class numbers 166 students, many of whom are heading off to Cuesta College as they navigate their higher education years amid a turbulent time of public health, economic and civic challenges.
The event featured jingling cowbells, decorated vehicles and presents handed out to the departing students.
Students jumped out of the cars to snap a quick photo with Principal Kyle Pruitt, who greeted them with a socially distant, air high five.
Some stood through the sunroof of their vehicles and waved excitedly to cheers and joyful celebration.
Senior describes end-of-year challenges
Graduating senior Alexa Ford said the last two months were a big adjustment for teachers and students who had to transition to online learning.
“It’s definitely been one of those things where students are all in it together because nobody knows what they’re doing,” said Ford, who’s entering the U.S. Navy. “I definitely missed the one-on-one in-person interaction with teachers (after the shelter-at-home order), but was in contact with many of them on a daily basis. ... It required a lot of patience and a lot of empathy for all. But we’re here and made it to the end.”
Ford said she particularly felt for teachers, some with more than 100 students, who also were faced with helping navigate their own children’s remote schooling at home.
Ford was among the graduates grouped in alphabetical order as students with last names starting with “A” kicked off the event.
The school is one of those in the county looking to preserve some of the memorable moments of senior year by postponing until summer. It has rescheduled its prom to Aug. 4 and its senior tribute to Aug. 6 amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic precautions.
Pruitt noted that the Class of 2020 was also Los Osos Middle School’s first sixth-grade class, a challenge they “embraced and conquered.”
“Fast forward to 2020, and this class is faced again with the challenge of being the graduating class to once again have to conquer the challenge of a school year cut short by unprecedented health challenges worldwide,” Pruitt told The Tribune.
Highlights from Morro Bay’s Class of 2020
As of late May, school officials said this year’s class earned 152 scholarships totaling $191,000 to 48 graduates.
After graduation, 35 will be attending four-year universities, 110 are enrolling at Cuesta College and four are joining the military. Others will be working, taking time off or entering trade school.
“Through it all, this class has everything to be proud of,” Pruitt said. “With students headed off to colleges, the military and the workforce, the MBHS Class of 2020 stands to add excellence to our society as a whole. ... I sincerely wish all of the graduates the best and am so excited to watch all of them thrive well into the future!”
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 1:50 PM.
%20Cropped.jpg)