Yuma High School did its “drive through” graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, Sunday afternoon, and now Otis High School is going to do a semi-virtual graduation on Friday.
Thirty-seven of YHS’s 42-member Class of 2020 participated in the most-unusual commencement at the football field. Each graduate remained in their own vehicles with two escorts and a driver. They first went to the front of YHS to pick up their registration packets, then were lined up in the parking lot at the sports complex.
The ceremony began at 1 p.m. with the vehicles driving into the football field in order. Graduate Cooper Godfrey played the national anthem on his electric guitar, Class President Grace Blecha welcomed everybody, cum laude speaker Kaitlyn Chapman gave her speech and guest speaker, former YHS counselor Brandi Lippert, gave her speech remotely.
Each graduate took their turn getting out of the car with their escorts, having their picture taken, then having a picture of them sitting in their assigned seat (Jim Powell Photography is going to put together a composite of all the photos.), then going on stage, 
Chapman graduated Cum Laude, requiring a 4.0 grade point average or above for eight consecutive semesters.
Graduating with High Distinction, 3.8 gpa or above, were Reagan Nolin, Stephanie Sauer-Reyes, Grace Blecha, Lucy Day, Kadi Rayl, Vanessa Jurardo-Lozano, and Julissa Poblete.
Graduating with Honors, 3.5 to 3.79 gpa, were Angelina Rivera, Lainey Mekelburg, Creighton Eyring, Jasmin Babonoyaba, Rolando Caraveo, Evely Valenzuela Quezada, and Nayelyy Olivas.
Otis is next
Otis High School is next as it will have what it is calling a semi-virtual commencement for its 15-member Class of 2020 on Friday at 6 p.m. at the football field. There will be a live stream link at www.otisr3.com to view the graduation. There will be limited parking available at the field. All individuals must remain in their vehicles for the duration of the event.
The graduates will come to the middle of the field when called upon. At that time their plans, scholarships, and other pertinent information will be read, then they will go back to their cars. Tristan Holland is doing the welcome speech, Mallory Thompson and Rachel Patterson are doing a “Through the Years” speech and Landan Schaffert will do the keynote speech.
There will be a Senior Parade through town immediately after graduation. Otis residents are encouraged to decorate their lawns, go outside and cheer and recognize the seniors for their great work.
The Otis Class of 2020 includes Holland, Thompson, Patterson, Jr. Bonham, James Collins, Amaya Curry, Brookly Elliot, Killian Hisam, Jacqueline Holtorf, Alyssa Johnson, Dillon Maddox, Christian Nation, Kimberly Quezada-Cano, Jarryd Smith, Mallory Thompson, and Gunnar Tribelhorn.
Arickaree cancels
Arickaree has canceled its graduation completely. The 10 members of the Class of 2020 decided they did not want the field graduation. There is no further planning for a ceremony at this time.
The Class of 2020 consists of Mary Jefferson, Alan McCaffrey, Elijah Myers, Jimena Quezada, Lloyd Rudnik, Nate Samora, Tyler Schneider, Tyson Schneider, Gilary Servin, and Ashlynn Wright.
Lone Star still set
Lone Star still plans on having a social distancing graduation for its three-member Class of 2020 at the football field. It will be Saturday, June 6. The school has back-up dates of June 20 and July 11.