Leon County Schools announce "drive-in" graduation ceremonies

April 28, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (WCTV) – Leon County Schools will host drive-in graduation ceremonies at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center for its nearly 2,500 seniors.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna announced the plan

"Not doing anything was not an option. It's just not," Hanna said. "The high school graduation ceremony is one of the most important times in your life and one of the most special days of your life, and we needed to give them something they would remember."

Hanna says one car will be allowed for each graduate and windows must remain up.

The ceremony will be simulcast over the radio, with every senior’s name being read aloud, while their picture flashes on a jumbotron.

Hanna says he consulted with the health department, both hospitals and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office before finalizing the plans.

Four graduating seniors who appeared on the Facebook live were thankful for that the graduations were not moved to on line ceremonies.

“Thank you for giving us a graduation,” Godby High senior Joshua Yarbough said.

“Even if we’re in cars, were still united as a class,” Leon High senior Madeline Feiock added.

“We can celebrate and finish our year like never before,” Rickards Senior Class president Kinnedi Bonner said.

"I think it's really cool that we get to be with our friends all together in this situation," Lincoln High senior Carter Nelson said.

Here's the schedule for the drive in graduations: