Amid pandemic, Groton plans 'drive-in movie theater' graduation for Class of 2020 to remember

Groton — Fitch High School seniors, like their counterparts across the world, encountered disappointments over the last few months, as end-of-the-year traditions were canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.But the high school's graduation committee was determined that even though the seniors would not be able to physically walk across the graduation stage, they still would have a special night they will never forget, committee members said.On June 19, the Fitch High School Class of 2020 will celebrate with a drive-in movie theater style graduation in an Electric Boat parking lot, so the seniors can come together as a class to celebrate the culmination of their four years of high school, the committee members said. The ceremony will include traditional elements of graduation, along with some tech upgrades and surprises for seniors."It gives them a chance to be together for their special day," said Matt Brown, assistant principal and head of the graduation committee.Assistant Superintendent Susan Austin said that not only will the families and students be able to view the graduation on the big screen from their cars, it also will be livestreamed so family members who can't make it in person — for example, relatives that live around the country or a parent in the Navy who is away — still can participate.Brown said that for decades, the Fitch High School graduation committee has been carrying on the tradition of planning the annual celebratory send-off. This year, the pandemic threw the committee members a curveball, but they were dedicated to planning a special ceremony for the graduates, while ensuring safety for students, parents and staff. The committee wanted to still hold the event on June 19, as planned, so all the seniors are together before families may leave for the summer.The event required a lot of planning, and the committee formed small task forces to focus on different areas. Assistant Principal and Director of School Counseling Erin McGuire headed the subcommittee looking at the potential for a drive-in event, while teachers Amy McKenna and Patricia Semancik took charge of planning a graduation that would be partially virtual, while maintaining all the traditional components.McGuire said it was important to include everyone's input, such as Semancik, who has not only been a longtime member of the committee but also has seen her own children graduate from Fitch."We're really trying to honor the celebration of graduation and all those pieces that make it so special," McGuire said, adding that it's important traditions remain in place even though it's a completely different event this year.Committee members connected with community resources, McGuire said. Jill Rusk, executive administrator in the city mayor's office, put them in touch with Electric Boat and Pfizer. Brett Beatty at FunFlicks of Connecticut, a company that rents screens and technical equipment, will partner with the school for graduation. School officials also are working closely with the town and city police departments."It really became possible because we had the support from the Groton community to really put this together and make it happen," McGuire said.Principal Edward Keleher said the school appreciates that both Pfizer and Electric Boat offered the use of their parking lots.Superintendent Michael Graner said he reached out to Ledge Light Health District Director of Health Stephen Mansfield, who said as long as the school district follows social distancing guidelines by spacing cars out in a large parking lot and having everyone stay inside their cars, he wasn't concerned about transmission of the virus. Graner said they will be able to space the cars about 10 to 12 feet apart in a parking lot offered by Electric Boat."We're confident we can do this safely and provide the kids with what I think is going to be a very memorable graduation," Graner said. He said 25 years from now, they will be able to look back and remember that year when the traditional graduation couldn't be held because of the pandemic, but they went to a drive-in movie theater graduation."They're always going to have a story that they can tell," Keleher said.McGuire said that over the last few months all students showed a high level of perseverance, but especially the seniors, who rose to the occasion to not only navigate distance learning but also plan their next steps after graduation."I've just been amazed at their resiliency and their perseverance through all this, and we just want to give them the best event we possibly can," Keleher said.k.drelich@theday.com