Alpine School District Holds Nearly Normal Graduation Ceremonies 

SANDY, Utah – Thousands of seniors began accepting their diplomas at Rio Tinto Stadium during a ceremony that was likely the closest to normal school event that students and staff have attended all year. 

Four high schools from the Alpine School district–the largest district in the state—held ceremonies from 8:30 in the morning to 9 at night Tuesday. There were plenty of caps, gowns, and smiles to go around. Seniors could invite as many family members and friends as they wanted to. The only thing absent from the ceremony were the COVID-19 restrictions students have become accustomed to over their senior year. 

“I never thought this would happen,” said Clarissa Hernandez, now a graduate in Orem High’s class of 2021. “I am shocked. I am absolutely like, gobsmacked that I am here today.” 

You can’t blame her. Over the last nine months of the pandemic, Hernandez said she never knew if she was going to be learning from inside her classroom or her bed at home. 

“If I could sum it up in one word it would be unexpected,” she said. “So, you just really cherish those moments you had at school. The times you were able to be in that classroom with your friends and teachers.” 

She and others were happy to see the school year end the way you would expect a normal school year to end. Only this time it was inside Rio Tinto Stadium. 

“I think it’s awesome that I get to graduate at a stadium. That’s super unique and I think it will be remembered,” said Eddie Ryan, who also graduated Tuesday from Orem High. 

“When I heard, we didn’t have to wear masks I was overjoyed. And the fact that we all get to be here and it’s not social distanced is just a dream really.” 

Students and parents weren’t alone in embracing the moment. 

“It’s been so hopeful,” said Chelsea Alley, a dance instructor at Orem High School. “To see these students that have just gone through a wild year be able to be recognized for their work to graduate to be here together, to feel like we’re on the brink of some kind of reemergence, I can only describe it as hope.” 

Alley was quick to admit the year was tough. She said every teacher had been stretched in new ways. That they did their best to make the year as normal as possible for their students. 

At times, she said, “I questioned myself as a teacher that we didn’t feel like we were doing enough. That we weren’t good enough for this moment in time. But looking back over it, I think I can speak hopefully for a handful of us who feel proud of our students for being resilient and working through this with grit and grace. And that hopefully in some small way we’ve been able to serve them in continuing their high school experiences and having something worth sharing in the end.” 

Alpine School District said 6,099 seniors are graduating in ceremonies at Rio Tinto this week.