Nashoba Valley Technical High School To Hold In Person Graduation

WESTFORD, MA — Amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, most Massachusetts schools have either postponed or decided to hold commencement events online. But at Nashoba Valley Technical High School, officials said they've figured out a plan to hold graduation in person.

"For more than a year, we have been planning a very special and unique commencement for the Class of 2020," said Dr. Denise Pigeon, the superintendent in a statement. "Certainly, the Class of 2020 commencement is not what we envisioned, but will nevertheless be a tribute to our students and our history."

Graduation Day will be held Saturday, June 6, but it will look a little different from how it was originally planned and involve a lot more hand sanitizer and social distancing.

Rather than receive diplomas all at once, students will receive their diplomas in clusters according to their technical program at different times of the day. The ceremony, in whole, is expected to last from 8 a.m. to about 5 p.m., at the front of the school, facing Littleton Road.

"Our commencement will be both unique and personal to each technical program and student, enveloping a blended model that will consist of a virtual formal graduation video, followed by an onsite physical graduation ceremony involving students in their technical program," the superintendent said.

There will be a bevy of traditional speeches, including remarks from Pigeon, and a member of Nashoba Tech's first graduating class Charlie Ellis, who also happens to chair the school committee.

Ellis will be followed by speeches from the valedictorian, salutatorian and president of the Class of 2020, then a speech by the president of the junior class and the ceremonial passing of the gavel. Principal Jeremy Slotnick will end that part of the ceremony with his closing remarks.

Following that, a series of onsite graduation ceremonies will be held by technical cluster.

Graduates from each cluster and their families will arrive before the ceremony, park in the grassy area in front of the school — one car per graduate — and graduates will stand at 6-10 feet apart and receive their diploma at a podium set up on the front steps.

"While we can never replace the traditional graduation ceremony,” Pigeon said, “we are happy to provide a forum where students and parents can share their pride and excitement at Nashoba Tech during a cherished onsite ceremony with their technical program family. While unconventional in that we need to practice social distancing during the onsite ceremony, this day, too, will become a unique part of Nashoba Tech’s history. Each graduate will receive a formal digital keepsake that will enable them to reflect on what will be an inevitable part of Nashoba Tech history."

The schedule:
9 a.m.: School of Arts, Communication and Technology (Design & Visual Communications, TV & Media Production/Theatre Arts, Programming & Web Development).
10 a.m.: School of Business, Consumer Science, Hospitality (Marketing, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Hospitality).
11 a.m.: School of Construction First Session (Plumbing & Heating).
Noon: School of Construction Second Session (Carpentry, Electrical Technology).
1 p.m.: School of Engineering and Manufacturing (Advanced Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Engineering Technology, Robotics & Automation.
2 p.m.: School of Health Services & Education (Early Childhood Education Dental Assisting, Health Assisting).
3 p.m.: School of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Veterinary Assisting).
4 p.m.: School of Transportation (Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing, Automotive Technology).

The ceremony will start at 8 a.m., with remarks that will be recorded onsite and be available to watch on the school’s website, www.nashobatech.net.