It was an unprecedented celebration in an unprecedented time.
Faced with the prospects of no formal grad celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of parents, volunteers and businesses stepped up across the community to ensure that the Grad Class of 2021 would have a memorable send-off.
South Delta Secondary’s Dry Grad celebration included 201 students and was held over five nights (June 17 to June 22) at Bancy Farm in Ladner in separate COVID-19 safe events.
The SDSS grads were driven in small groups by limousine to the red-carpet, and then walked the red-carpet while being cheered on by their families.
Following their red carpet spotlight walk, the grads entered a large tent where they enjoyed appetizers while watching their fellow grads enjoy their moment and then everyone was treated to a gourmet dinner.
After dinner, grads listened to music, played games like ping-pong, Jenga, ladder ball, X-Box and took tons of photos. Two professional photographers were on hand each night to document all of the fun and all the photos will be shared with the grads free of charge.
There was lots of prizes given to all and every night one grad won an iPhone 12.
“Whatever home they were picked up at in the limos, they also had time to spend with their family to take photos, and stop at other locations as well to take photos, so really a great experience before they arrived at the venue,” said Karen Matthews, co-chair of the SDSS Parent Dry Grad Committee. “The limos were timed to arrive at the farm every 15 minutes, so they were spread out to allow parents to cheer them on the red carpet and everything was COVID safe and socially distanced.”
Matthews described the planning as a “Herculean effort” to pull off in such a short time. “Once the announcement was made on May 25 that B.C. would be in Step 2 on June 15 – the community of Tsawwassen stepped into high gear to make this happen for these kids,” she said. “This cohort of grads particularly truly, up until now, had no real Grade 12 experiences at all as COVID-19 restrictions started half way through their Grade 11 year, so everyone wanted to make something positive happen for them.”
The SDSS Parent Dry Grad Planning Executive Committee included: Matthews, Gloria Sousae, Cecile Giusta, Lyn McHugh and Jennifer Jakubec as well as 70 other parent volunteers.
Delta Secondary’s Dry Grad was held on June 30, with 170 students participating in a reverse car parade, which saw the grads line up around the school property with special grad signage and their family and friends – and teachers – parading past cheering them on.
Delta Police, Delta Fire Department and the City of Delta all helped out with traffic control, which was much appreciated by all.
Jen Wilson, who handles communications for the DSS Parent Dry Grad committee, said it was an amazing night for everyone.
“After the reverse parade, which lasted for about an hour, the grads were loaded up onto charter buses, where they received a snack bag and went to four different, scenic locations where they met a photographer for photos,” said Wilson. “That allowed our decorating teams an hour to decorate at four different restaurants for the red carpet walk and a dinner event.”
The restaurant locations included: Sharkey’s, Riverhouse, Mario’s and Illuminate, while the scenic picture locations included: Centennial Beach, Millennium Trail, Diefenbaker Park and Deas Island.
“There was lots of photos and entertainment at all the venues and the venues were linked with a video stream,” she said. “It is certainly a new way to look at Dry Grad. The feedback has been very positive and supportive. Everyone was just so happy that their kids could be celebrated and that everyone had a good time.”
The DSS committee included Wilson as well as Denise Sheridan, LeeAnn Neaves and Lara Taylor along with 20 other parent volunteers.
