When the mandatory shut down of all non-essential businesses first went into effect in March, the Norwood High School Senior class was not surprised when the School on the Hill closed its doors and went virtual. 

After hours spent online and seeing their classmates and friends through computer screens, many hoped that traditional senior activities like Prom, Class Day, and Graduation would still be allowed to occur. 

However, on May 14,  Principal Dr. Hugh Galligan sent a letter and a video, to high school students and parents. The letter included changes to the Class of 2020 events prompted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“After learning that we weren’t returning to Norwood High, it made me realize how much I was going to miss it,” Senior Graduate Allison McDonough said. “It was expected, but still sad to hear.” 

In the letter, Dr. Galligan expressed his sympathy for the senior class, and explained that although this was not an ideal situation, the students would still be allowed to share in some of the senior traditions. Only this time there would be modifications in place to placate the ever changing virus situation. 

For prom, students had the opportunity to send in a video to be included in a montage. For Class Day, Norwood Community Media (NCM) aired a pre-recorded video that included all the scholarships and awards. 

However, on Graduation Day, the Norwood School committee decided that there was a way to do so much more for the graduates. 

In a Facebook post on their community page, the Norwood Police Department addressed the public. 

The staff at Norwood High School has worked very hard to give the Class of 2020 a graduation ceremony they will never forget. It has been our pleasure to work closely with them and with our Health Department and DPW to make the event memorable, but also safe. 

The graduation ceremony entailed each graduating senior arriving at the Norwood High School in a vehicle, usually with members of his or her household, to receive their diploma and have their graduation announced. 

The logistics surrounding this event were carefully designed to avoid gatherings of any kind, and it is not open to the public. The full program was carried live on NCM, and residents were encouraged to share in the event at home.”

After the general population was made aware of the graduation plans, it was then up to the faculty and staff to set up and host the event. 

“The way the teachers and faculty set up the high school made graduation truly unforgettable,” McDonough said. “Jerseys were hung up, theatre sets were displayed, awards were posted, and teachers lined up to greet us as we passed in our cars. The entire day was a reminder to all of us how lucky we are to grow up in Norwood”. 

Students were asked to meet either at the Cleveland or Willett schools at designated times. Their cars were decorated with their names and they were lined up accordingly. Then, during timed intervals, each group was escorted by a police car up to the high school to receive their diplomas. The procession of cars took one lap around the school and at a designated check point individual graduates were allowed to get out of their cars in masks, walk up to a table, and pick out their diploma

The student had their future plans announced as they approached the table just like in years past, but this time they walked back to their cars and rejoined their families. 

This non-contact, in person graduation was absolutely unprecedented, but ultimately became a day to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. 

“I am so thankful for everything that the Norwood community has done for me, in and out of quarantine,” McDonough said.