By Annie Hoang, Newsletter Editor
As COVID-19 restrictions loosened, the district authorized the class of 2021 to attend in-person graduation. The ceremony took place at the Santa Anita Park on June 10. The administration arranged the graduation and presented its plan to the Board of Education, which approved it. The district office signed contracts and covered the costs for the venue while the purchasing department negotiated with vendors to obtain graduation supplies.
“There is so much going on behind the scenes that people will never see,” Principal Richard Lohman said. “While we were planning, the administration and I were scared our plans would backtrack if COVID-19 cases increased. Now, we’re just completely excited that we’re having in-person graduation at such an amazing venue.” For the first time in more than 20 years, TCHS held graduation off campus at the Santa Anita Park to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Families sat on wide bleachers six feet apart. Additionally, the park’s theme of green and yellow match with the school colors, which made it an appealing venue to the administration.
They established several safety precautions, including health screeners prior to the event and temperature checks at the entrance. Families and students had to remain six feet apart and wear masks at all times. Students received four tickets and had to register before graduation day.
“I’m not angry about the four ticket policy,’’ senior Felix Avitia said. “It’s there to keep people safe. It’s already such a blessing to get an in-person graduation since most of the 2021 class didn’t get to enjoy the year together and participate in school activities.”
450 students out of the 460 students from TCHS and Dr. Doug Sears Learning Center who graduated attended in-person graduation this year.
“Having an in-person graduation feels like one success out of the dozens of losses we took this year,” Senior Class Vice President Laila Ta said. “After leaving in the middle of our junior year and now coming back together at the end of senior year, it makes it a bittersweet moment of finally reuniting to close off such an unexpected year.”