On Saturday, May 30, the ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY Class of 2020 received their diplomas at a special drive-in, family-only ceremony on campus. Although this was not a traditional commencement ceremony, it was a memorable, unique, and heartfelt celebration of the Class of 2020.
The graduates arrived on campus with their immediate families in decorated cars for the event. Dressed in their traditional graduation regalia, each senior walked on stage to receive their diploma from Head of School Gerald Teramae – from an appropriate distance. IPA faculty, while not allowed on campus because of restrictions on social gatherings, spaced out along Ala Kahawai street wearing masks and their Where Values Matter t-shirts to cheer on the graduates from a distance.
The ceremony format and venue may have been different this year, but the feelings of pride and aloha were no different from any other year. The seniors of the Class of 2020 have shown their character through the grace and resilience they have demonstrated throughout these unusual circumstances. I mua me ka haʻaheo, Navigators!
A special virtual commencement was broadcast on YouTube the day after their in-person ceremony so all family and friends could join in on celebrating the ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY Class of 2020.
See more stories about the Class of 2020 celebrations on the Class of 2020 page.
