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Maui High holds first drive-thru graduation

By Colleen Uechi 4 min read

KAHULUI -- They should've had a stadium full of screaming families and a stage with seats next to their classmates, but instead the Maui High School class of 2020 got the pandemic-mandated alternative -- a drive-thru graduation ceremony.

Stepping out of their cars in Sabers-blue masks, Maui High's senior class walked up to hear their names called and pose for photos with their diplomas as families cheered through car windows Sunday afternoon.

"I'm sure this will go down in history," senior Dartanian Labajo said. "For sure it's different. I'm happy that I graduated at least."

Maui High was the first of the local high schools to hold a drive-thru graduation ceremony, marking the bittersweet end to a school year that came to a sudden halt when the coronavirus pandemic picked up speed around spring break.

Tia Joaquin, graduation advisor, said that 353 of the 406 graduates signed up to participate in the optional drive-thru ceremony Sunday. Families were limited to four per vehicle, including the graduate. Everyone had to wear masks, though graduates were allowed to remove them for photos.

Students and families made the most of it, decorating cars with balloons and signs and honking horns in celebration.

"It's kind of sad, but at the same time, it's very unique," said Nathaniel Morales. "So it's like, both 50-50. . . . But it's kind of good that at least we have a way to celebrate."

Nora Morales admitted she was disappointed for her son.

"It's pretty sad for us parents to not actually have our son go through the commencement and have the experience of having commencement with his 2020 classmates," she said. "But I'm glad they found the end alternative."

Over the last couple of months, students have had to come to terms with virtual classes, separation from classmates and teachers and the realization that they won't get the ending they wanted.

"Right when we finished spring break, we didn't know if we were going to come back after that one week of break," said Haley Sumibcay. "So it was kind of sad after two or three months realizing, that's it. That's my high school year."

Sumibcay was frank when asked what it was like to have a nontraditional graduation.

"It really sucks, I have to say, because I come from (a family of) three brothers, and they all had traditional graduations," she said. "And I'm the only girl in the family, so it's kind of really hard, just really sad.

"Things happen, and you got to do what you got to do."

The pandemic not only changed graduation, but the students' future plans as well.

Taelen-John Bates had been planning to go to college and play baseball, but now he may take a year off to work and save money.

"It changed like everything that I had planned for, but I still found a way to work around it," he said. "Honestly it didn't even hit me yet, but I'm going to miss high school."

Labajo wants to study film in college, and said it's been a lot harder to plan for classes, given that many will be going digital.

"So it was definitely a little bit harder to like check everything out and stuff like that without the help of counselors," he said. "It's a bumpy road, but for sure we'll be able to pass it."

Maui High Principal Jamie Yap said that the nontraditional graduation was "not perfect, but I think the kids get their spotlight and get their name read, get their picture taken."

"This is as close as you can get without being in the stadium," he said.

Yap said that when classes were canceled, the school had to "make sure the seniors came first." They looked for any students who were failing to see if they could help them graduate. Teachers shifted to a virtual curriculum. Some students juggled not only classes but also essential jobs in fast food and other industries.

Yap said if there was one message he'd like to leave his students with, he would tell them to "be the difference maker moving forward."

"We don't want anybody to experience this ever again, so hopefully through their leadership, through their vision, through their hard work, a new norm will be set by these graduates," Yap said.

Several high schools will also hold alternative ceremonies this week, with King Kekaulike on Wednesday; Baldwin on Thursday; Hana, Lanai and Molokai high schools Saturday; and Lahainaluna on Sunday.

* Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com.

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