When her Port Chester High School Class of 2020 graduation ceremony ends on Friday, June 26, Penelope Alvarez grabs her parents and embraces them. In an historic year due to COVID-19, nine different ceremonies were held, and students were able to graduate next to their parents on the high school baseball field.
Showing off her diploma before leaving the ceremony, Rebecca Cebanos is touched by pride.
Between each of the nine ceremonies, a crew scatters across the field to sanitize every space before the next group of graduates arrive.
Cristian Cano places his hand on his heart as pre-recorded Class of 2020 graduates sing the national anthem.
After picking up his diploma from the dais, Carlos Ortega proudly strides back to his seat to celebrate with his family.
Ikra Konukcu claps for her fellow Class of 2020 graduates as they walk across the dais.
Moments before heading into her ceremony, Bryanna Noriega makes silly faces at her friends while her mother Sandra fixes her hair in the preparation area on the Neuton Avenue basketball courts.
As graduates and their families approach Jeffrey Kravitz to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” the history teacher guides them to their assigned socially distanced box.
While graduates and parents take a moment of silence for the lives lost to COVID-19 and violence, Luis Gallardo bows his head and tightens his commemorative face mask.
Confetti flies at the Park Avenue exit as Nina Reyes, clutching her Rams balloon, leaves as an official graduate with her mother Blanca Montano (right) and grandmother Maria Zurita.
After retrieving his diploma and returning to his designated box, Oscar Umanzor opens the booklet to check it out with the help of his daughter Kelsey, who wears a matching blue cap and gown.
Adetola Okunoye presumably smiles behind her Class of 2020 face mask after receiving her diploma.
Trailing the end of her row of classmates about to officially graduate, Jasmine Torres’ hair blows in the wind as she patiently waits for her name to be called.
Joseph DeCarlo looks extra cool in his shades as he clutches his fresh diploma and marches back to his box.
Officially graduated, Juan Mori (left) and Angelie Aucay pose for one more photo before walking off the Port Chester High School property as alumni.
As “Pomp and Circumstance” echoes across the field, Joseph Tapia Guzman walks arm in arm with his mother Delia Guzman and father José Tapia as they approach the graduation ceremony.
Adriana Hernandez graciously waits for her name to be called so she can pick up her diploma.
Though they couldn’t be on the baseball field due to COVID-19 mandates, the Del Cid family watches in matching shirts behind the fence on Neuton Avenue to cheer for Matthew Del Cid when his name is called.
