COVID GRAD–NOT SO BAD!!

    Like COVID weddings, COVID graduations take a measure of creativity to keep the spark of celebration and fun. Both are a mix of solemnity celebrating a significant event for individuals, and both are usually celebrated by the individuals’ community. 

    And there is the rub, with COVID! Social distancing, kissing the bride, masks, social distancing, handing over diplomas, giving respect with speeches, masks, social distancing, sitting with friends and relatives–we want community connection! This is hard-wired back to primate times. But the virus doesn’t care about what we want, so we have to find ways to share and care without sharing the virus.

    So what can we do? We can start by thinking of one of the big things about grad that aren’t affected by lockdowns and other restrictions, and then see where we go from there. Let’s do that:

Graduation portrait: You have to have the portrait of you in cap and gown. Your children and grandchildren need this, even if you’re not particularly into it yourself. Treat yourself with red carpet duds (rent!). Pose for some goofy shots, as well.

Pictures of the event: Have a designated video recorder (who has done this successfully before, we suggest).  Even if your school is doing the recording, having your own recording lets you do neat things, like editing and making clips and stills to share with your friends.

Theme: If your school has a theme, meet up online with your friends and classmates to put your own twist on it. Decorate your venues, be it living rooms, bedrooms, or laundry rooms with the theme.

Plan an aftergrad party: If you have a pod, that’s a plus. If you don’t have a pod, gather your ZOOMmates around your individual tables with creative eats and treats and drinks appropriate to your culture. BONUS–if you’re locked down, you don’t need a designated driver!

Box Seat: At a nonCOVID grad, tickets are quite limited, and the view is often far away and you look tiny. With this grad you don’t have to decide between one grandmother and one special aunt–everyone can be there, and everyone has a box seat! The people you really care about are really there. You can even honour that middle school teacher or intercollegiate coach who turned you around.

Shorts: Plan a few TikToks or YouTube shorts, from the acceptance of your sheepskin to a kaleidoscope of everyone’s grad dinner to the Red Carpet to beaming family and goofy sibs. And, of course, the spontaneous aftergrad dance competitions.

FUN: You did it! Celebrate! And make it fun! 

Thought: Thanks to the thousands of grads who have gone before you in many fields, yours may be the only COVID grad celebrated in lockdown. In 2060 your grandchildren may be trading shots of this year’s grads as a potential goldmine of NFTs.

Let me know how you’re celebrating grad. Success is inspiring!  [email protected]