Schools brainstorm ways to celebrate seniors

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) A simple senior rite of passage turned emotional on Wednesday.

Graduating senior, Janna Omar, returned to Pacific Grove High School for the first time since the shelter in place order shut down schools. Omar picked up her cap and gown -- one she may never get to wear.

"We worked so hard. Graduating is a really important step. It's a milestone. It's so hard that we might not get to do it," said Omar.

Central Coast schools are trying to find a way to still celebrate graduating seniors. With large gatherings banned for what could be months, Pacific Grove High School's principal, Matthew Bell, is planning something for the future.

"There's nothing like walking across the stage, having your name read, standing at the top of the stage, having your folks wave and snapping pictures," said Bell.

Bell said he has scheduled the school's graduation ceremony for August 8 if the shelter in place order is lifted. "Hopefully our shelter in place will be done and that our community can participate," said Bell.

Other schools are in the process of letting the seniors decide.

"We've gone through a few scenarios with them. This includes a traditional graduation when the lift is over, a virtual graduation or a drive by graduation," said Beth Wodecki with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.

Students are staying hopeful that somehow everyone can still come together. "It's really cool that our teachers are still trying to plan a graduation in the Fall. That's really important to everyone," said senior, Alana Henden.