Graduation ceremonies are moments that young men and women will never forget.
For the Holy Trinity Academy Class of 2020, its members will remember the effort staff at the Okotoks high school put in to make this year's graduation ceremony as memorable as possible in these days of physical distancing and taking classes at home.
“What we are doing is capturing our usual spirit and tradition in a virtual format,” said HTA principal Carmen Ostafichuk. “We have hired a production crew and we are putting together commencement with all the aspects of a typical commencement, when we gathered traditionally in the church and all are watching it happen – all that work is going to be done ahead of time to produce for all of us to watch at home on June 26."
A typical HTA graduation ceremony has close to a thousand people at St. James Parish to celebrate the occasion. However, that is not possible due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Ostafichuk said graduation is something she didn’t want the Class of 2020 to lose.
“We have aspects of our ceremony that are heartfelt and speak to the kind of school we are,” Ostafichuk said. “I didn’t want them to not have those experiences.”
The grads – all 280 of them – will come to the school 10 at a time starting this week to have professional photographers take individual grad photo to be seen at the June 26 virtual celebration.
“So they will be able to have their diploma photo taken in full cap and gown at the school,” Ostafichuk said.
The grads have a few tasks they have to do. They have to provide some information that can be told during the ceremony. All of the grads will be presented with a copy of the virtual ceremony.
Meanwhile, HTA has been collecting highlights of the students’ scholastic careers – from pre-school to high school, which are currently being posted on the school’s Instagram site.
“It’s from toddler, junior high school, high school and I post one every day saying: ‘Guess who this is? We’re celebrating grad on June 26,'” Ostafichuk said. “Just to promote and get some excitement out for the kids.”
The virtual ceremony will have all the trimmings, including a valedictorian speech, which has to be recorded on May 27 to make the cut for the production.
The plans have restored graduand Olivia Kranjcec's enthusiasm for grad. It’s further strengthened her passion for the HTA family.
“I think it's awesome – I know how much work Mrs. O (Ostafichuk) has put in to give us the best grad possible, even though we aren’t gathered together,” Kranjcec said. “I feel this virtual commencement is going to be awesome.”
She’s also taken a peek at the school’s Instagram page and the pics of the graduands as they grow up.
“I think it is cool to see how much we have grown up – it’s funny to see us as little kids to how we are now,” she said.
There will be a formal ball, however it won't be until Dec. 19, when hopefully, the COVID-19 pandemic has lessened.
HTA is also proceeding with alternatives to other year-end traditions such as the sports banquet.
Athletes will receive a glossy program with a full list of highlights of the past school year, as well as the recipients for team awards and the elite awards such as Athlete of the Year.
