MESA, AZ — Students from around the Valley gathered at Mountain View High School in Mesa for a makeshift graduation ceremony.
The effort was organized by disappointed parents. Mesa Public School District plans to host virtual ceremonies, but some parents felt this solution did not properly commemorate their students' milestone.
"The argument was it wasn't safe, but other places found ways to do it. These seniors deserve to be celebrated, but as parents, we wanted to celebrate too," says parent Andrea Graziani.
So, with safety in mind, fellow parent Destinee Mack organized a separate ceremony, a massive parade.
"This is my first senior. I didn't know I needed to see her in her cap and gown until I saw it. That is really important and special to me. They worked really hard to get here," says fellow parent Destinee Mack.
Over 400 people RSVP'd to the makeshift ceremony. Mountain View and other schools' seniors lined the sidewalk outside of Mountain View High School as family, friends and support zoomed by honking and cheering. The effort was more than well-received by students.
"This was perfect for all of us to be able to do. It was a way for everyone to come out and celebrate us," says student Skyler Mack. Fellow student M'Kayla Howard adds, "I wasn't expecting anything more so to get anything beyond a video was amazing."
