Biggs Prepares to Celebrate Graduates
Jun 04, 2020 12:00AM ● By By Seti Long
Biggs High School graduates have been featured in banners for the last month, recognizing the students' hard work. Photo by Seti Long
BIGGS, CA (MPG) – The community of Biggs has spent the last month honoring its graduating Class of 2020 even though COVID-19 has put a damper on graduation plans.
Banners featuring the senior pictures of Biggs High School graduates have been flying for the last month, placed down Biggs’ B Street to recognize the students’ hard work. The banners, paid for by Biggs Unified, the sports booster club and local citizens, will be presented to each student as a keep-sake at graduation.
As far as graduation is concerned, Biggs Unified School District is holding to the Butte County Department of Public Health’s current recommendations to not hold gatherings. Superintendent Kaelin reached out to BCPHD, hoping to get the go-ahead for a traditional graduation ceremony, but did not get their blessing. He says, “I think it’s incredibly important (to have a traditional graduation ceremony). In my personal opinion…. I think districts the size of Biggs and Gridley should be allowed to have graduation as normal.” He shares that Biggs School District considered holding out until July in hopes of having a regular ceremony, but ultimately decided on a combination virtual and drive-thru ceremony held later than usual to maintain safety.
Biggs plans to hold its drive-thru graduations for their 8th grade class on June 11th and their Senior Class of 2020 on June 12th at 6:00 pm on the south front lawn of the high school. Superintendent Kaelin shares that on the respective mornings of the 11th and 12th, they will release a virtual video featuring the Valedictorians, Salutatorians and graduating students giving their speeches and sharing their plans for the future, show them receiving their awards and a special message from Superintendent Kaelin. The evening ceremonies will feature a mini-stage and backdrop so that as graduates pull up, they can exit their cars, take pictures with a photographer on site and have their diplomas presented to them.
In the meantime, Superintendent Kaelin said that if anything changes, Biggs would drop everything and hold a traditional graduation “In a heartbeat!” He continues, “You know, these kids have missed out on so much of their senior year, from sports to the prom…” they deserve something special.
