by Catrina Thomen, Arts Editor
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most special senior events were cancelled, but one thing that cannot be taken away is graduation. Kennedy graduates must order their cap and gown before the deadline of Friday, Feb. 26 and with the deadline approaching, paired with the uncertainty of returning to campus, it's hard to determine why a cap and gown are necessary for the big event.
The idea behind graduation is walking across the field, accepting your diploma, and enjoying the event while creating memories. If you purchase a cap and gown now and the in person ceremony is unavailable when the time comes, then there will still be avirtural graduation.
“Though this year we may not be able to celebrate with friends and some loved ones we will still be able to celebrate with our families at home,” Kennedy senior Samantha Jimenez said. “Many may have had doubts throughout the year but this is a symbolization that we did it and we got through our high school year.”
While there may not be much reason in fulfilling a purchase of the cap and gown for an online event, there's still a cause for celebration of the milestone occasion.
After graduation many students tend to have a party. With the current COVID-19 Guidelines, a party may not be the brightest idea but there are alternatives to share the event with loved ones such as drive-bys, Zoom parties, and parking lot gatherings (staying inside your cars at a distance of AT LEAST 6 feet).
“As much as I would like my own cap and gown, it really doesn't make sense to buy a set so I can take one picture and send it in for our online graduation which is more likely to happen” Kennedy senior Leonardo Ponce said. “I'm just going to be using the cap and gown that my older brother used a couple of years ago.”
With such a small amount of possibilities, buying a cap and gown may not be worth the $31 purchase. The possibility of a graduation ceremony held online means a cap and gown won't make a difference for the occasion and the milestone will be just as special. All that's needed for the commemoration is the graduate and the ones dearest to them.
“Students should wear a cap and gown to celebrate not just graduating but for the hard work that has taken place over the past 12 years to get to this point,” Kennedy Assistant Principal Rafael Santiago said. “This is an important step for all of the graduates and it's a nice tradition that symbolizes that achievement.”
With graduation approaching, the decision must be made whether or not a cap and gown is essential for the kinds of celebration to come. With many things not living up to the high expectations of senior year, graduation should be celebrated with full force as the occasion only comes once in lifetime.
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