Honks, Hoopla, Cheers, Smiles Greet Graduates In Manhattan Beach

With the 2019-2020 Manhattan Beach Unified School District school year ending on Thursday, June 11, graduates took to the streets in cars decorated to celebrate the occasion, horns honking. In a year marked by COVID-19 and distance learning, parents found ways to honor graduates.

Mira Costa High School grads were scheduled to walk on and off the field ,where graduation is usually held, one at a time. The unusual plan was created so people in a car could watch their grad receive their diploma. Convertibles and golf carts were not allowed to transport grads to graduation and only one grad could arrive per car. Everyone in attendance was asked to wear a mask and keep their car windows up until their graduate was walking for their diploma. Cars were directed to arrive at MCHS' Waller Stadium by driving south on Peck Avenue from 2nd Street.

Groups were organized by the first letter of the students' last name and staged in 15-, 20- and 30-minute increments from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.