Divided by distance, Costa Mesa High grads celebrate togetherness in virtual commencement
Costa Mesa High School’s graduating class reflected on the themes of separation and togetherness Tuesday evening as 279 seniors remotely viewed a virtual commencement ceremony and, in doing so, officially closed the book on their high school careers
Watched by more than 700 viewers, the livestream broadcast displayed portraits of soon-to-be grads in caps and gowns, colorful candid photos and well wishes from teachers, coaches and administrators.
Senior Jordan Galante watched the commencement ceremony at home with her parents, grandmother and 11-year-old brother Zion on the living room TV. Her mom had gotten a spread of Italian food (her favorite) for a small celebration.
While it’s not the graduation she’d always dreamed about, the 17-year-old said she understands the Newport-Mesa Unified School Board, which struggled over how to recognize the accomplishments of thousands of seniors, had a difficult decision to make.
“I’d much rather have an in-person event but, for me personally, I understand why they want to do it this way,” she said. “I’m just going to try and make the best of what we have and what they’re giving us.”
To stay connected, Jordan group texted with classmates during the broadcast and made plans to FaceTime her close friends after the prerecorded festivities had ended.
On screens across Costa Mesa, members of the high school’s Madrigal Choir performed the national anthem. Band members used a video conferencing platform to create a makeshift music video.
Student and guest speakers shared their thoughts on a year marked by a global pandemic that upended senior-year plans as physical campuses closed and instruction moved online.
Associated Student Body President Alexis Votran recalled how life seemed to change in a single day — March 13 — the day Costa Mesa High closed to begin a transition to online instruction as fears of a spreading coronavirus grew.
Although no one knew it then, in some ways, that would be the last day of high school.
“I vividly remember everybody being so excited about getting a spontaneous little break in the middle of March,” she said in her remarks. “None of us expected that two-week break would turn into two months, nor did we expect to be graduating from our couches.”
Votran asked classmates not to wallow in regret but to appreciate the moments they shared together and remember they would be “students today, alumni tomorrow and Mustangs forever.”
Principal Jake Haley told students he, too, wished students, families and faculty could all be together physically to celebrate the momentous occasion. Still, he urged them to celebrate the spirit of togetherness.
“We want you to know as a faculty, as a community we walk with you,” Haley addressed students. “We are connected through our minds, through our hearts and, more importantly, through our spirits.”
Jordan said she will likely look back at this time in her life as a moment that upended a lot of expectations but also, oddly, brought people closer together.
“All of my friends were going through the exact same thing I was,” she said. “We were all hurting, but it was comforting, too, because I knew I wasn’t alone. And so many other kids, not only in California or in the country, but all over the world are going through this — this is kind of what makes our class unique.”
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