The coronavirus pandemic put a damper on the rites of passage for the high school Class of 2020 in Prince George’s County.
But those students received a shining moment Wednesday as Maryland’s second-largest public school system arranged celebrations for each senior to walk across the stage and receive their high school diplomas from their respective schools.
The diploma ceremonies will continue at various locations throughout the week.
In an interview last month, schools CEO Monica Goldson said the ceremonies will take place with each student allowed to bring two guests.
“Students and parents will wear masks,” Goldson said. “The student will go to the stage, take the mask off, take the diploma, take a picture with it, put their mask back on and walk off the stage and go out the side door.
“The opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas is the one thing our graduates wanted to do,” she said.
Julian Murdock, who graduated from Oxon Hill High School, stands between his godmother Althea Stephenson (left) and his mother Maureen Telfer after a diploma ceremony on Aug. 5. Murdock will attend Prince George's Community College. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
