PHS celebrates socially distanced graduation

PORTALES - Parking spots replaced chairs, parking lots replaced Greyhound Arena and car horns replaced air horns.

But some things did not change Saturday at Portales High School, as another class of Rams graduated with pride as they took what became an unusual first step into adulthood.

Vehicles, each carrying one of the 174 graduating seniors listed in the program, began lining up in the Ram Athletic Center parking lot long before the 10 a.m. ceremony began. The procession still began a few minutes late, an understandable outcome given the ceremony that was truly a first for any PHS class.

With public gatherings restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, administrators decided on a parking lot ceremony, with Principal Arturo Ontiveros hosting the ceremonies that were broadcast over a public address system and 105.9 FM.

Ceremonies that traditionally brought a student to the lectern were instead recorded in advance and played as part of the ceremony. Valedictorian Marisela Garcia and salutatorian Abigail Cameron did come up separately to receive those plaques while their own addresses played over the speakers.

Plenty of restrictions were in place to keep the commencement as safe as possible with concerns over COVID-19. Seniors were the only ones allowed to exit vehicles. Face masks were requested up until the seniors reached the stage for their diplomas, and they got to the stage by walking a sidewalk lined with chalk Xs spaced six feet apart to encourage social distancing.

But this was just the latest adjustment in a string that started when the state canceled school for three weeks in mid-March and later decided to convert to a learn-at-home model for the remainder of the year.

The decision wiped out spring sports and other extracurricular activities. Maypole is still up in the air, as Superintendent Johnnie Cain has vowed to do everything possible to hold it later until and unless it clearly can't be done.

"It doesn't seem fair," Ontiveros said. "We put in all of that time, just to be suddenly stripped of all of it."

But having to deal with the challenges they had as seniors, Ontiveros said, will only shape them into better adults.

"Adversity is necessary in order to be successful," Ontiveros said.

Just as they would at any graduation, the students lined up one section at a time and took their diplomas as they walked on the stage. This time, however, the sections were rows of vehicles, and each row drove to the back of the pack after that set had walked through.

Once the rows of vehicles returned to their beginning parking spot, final words were delivered and vehicles were herded off the RAC parking lot to begin a parade through the city.