Portsmouth diploma pickup was full of pomp and circumstance
‘Opportunity to make the best of a different situation’
PORTSMOUTH — It was like a second graduation ceremony, and perhaps that was the point.
Since members of the Class of 2020 missed out on so much this spring, including a normal graduation, the school community made sure they felt appreciated by making a big show of a diploma pickup event held Saturday morning at Portsmouth High School.
The event was necessitated due to R.I. Department of Education guidelines dictating that diplomas could not be handed out during Friday’s ceremony at the polo grounds.
Instead, students and parents were directed to drive to the school between 9 a.m. and noon, using the one-way entrance from Turnpike Avenue into the parking lot. There, Principal Joseph Amaral announced each student’s name — after receiving advance word via walkie talkie so volunteers had time to find each diploma — as Superintendent Thomas Kenworthy or School Committee Chairwoman Emily Copeland handed the diplomas through a window.
Color signs were made up for each of the 220-plus grads. Each one featured a photograph of seniors in their caps and gowns, and placed alongside the road so everyone could see. (Mr. Amaral said students were welcome to take them home to display on their lawns. “It’s a celebration that keeps on giving,” he joked.)
Several trees were decorated with red mini-tassels, and Drama Club advisor Sheli Beck Silveria banged a large gong after each student got his or her diploma. Afterward, many students visited the PHS field house, where they posed with their families for professional photographs.
“This is awesome,” said Ms. Copeland. “The parents and the staff were here for three days painting the roadway, putting up the flags, and each senior has their individual sign. They just went above and beyond, and you can tell the parents and students really appreciated it. They made it a really special day.”
Mr. Amaral put together a committee of about 30 people, which included school faculty and staff, parents and volunteers. They worked for more than a month on end-of-year alternative celebrations in light of COVID-19.
“It was an opportunity to make the best of a different situation,” he said. “The parents and volunteers got together and did a real nice job to put this all together. They’ve been working tirelessly from 6 in the morning today and yesterday. Our maintenance crew did a lot of work in cleaning up the facility and painting some things. It was a total team effort, and I think that’s what makes it special. I think the students felt appreciated.”
Mr. Kenworthy agreed.
“And, last night’s effort at the polo grounds took a complete effort on the town’s side as well — from town administration to police and fire. Everybody came together,” he said.
Better than Zoom
Two of the seniors who received diplomas Saturday, Jake Ferreira and Liliana Beauchemin, later got out of their cars to pose for photos with fellow graduates.
“I would have hoped for a more traditional graduation, but this is better than doing it on Zoom or online,” said Jake, who also appreciated the spirit shown Friday night. “I thought it was good how the town got all together and kinda of did something for us; it meant a lot.”
Liliana said her senior year certainly ended in unique fashion.
“I’ve talked to other people who have graduated, and sometimes if it’s really traditional, you don’t remember it as much,” she said. “But, I think everyone, even if you aren’t in the Class of 2020, will remember this graduation for sure.”
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