Submitted by Justin Paulsen.

Saturday, June 13 will mark Graduation Day for Orcas Island School District’s Class of 2020. Sadly, due to safety considerations related to Covid19, the graduates will be denied the usual celebration that Orcas Island is so very well known for.

There will be a virtual graduation ceremony at https://sites.google.com/orcas.k12.wa.us/orcasgraduation2020/home?authuser=1 but as a community, we still want to be able to show the graduates, in-person, our pride, support and best wishes as they move forward in their endeavors. We are asking the community to join us Saturday in a “Procession of Graduates” by safely gathering along the route in Eastsound to support, cheer and otherwise celebrate the achievements of our Seniors.

Following the virtual ceremony, the graduates will receive their diplomas at the school. At 5:30 p.m., the graduates will assemble in personal vehicles to begin their graduation procession through Eastsound where the community will have the opportunity to bestow their Viking Pride upon them. Consider it a virtual walk across the graduation stage.

The route has been set to allow for community members to safely stage themselves along the roads with parking at multiple locations. We ask that everyone spread themselves out along the route in such a way that maintains safe distancing and safe traffic flow for graduates, spectators and visitors alike.

These are unusual times but they do not diminish the accomplishments of our graduates: quite the opposite in fact. Please join us in continuing the tradition of Orcas Island is honoring the accomplishments of our students and their families.