SENIOR SECTION
CENTER SPREAD
Grad Cap Decorating:
Check out some helpful tips for decorating grad caps despite the COVID-19 pandemic changing graduation plans. (page 3).
Photo:Aki Neugebauer
The Volume 64, Issue 7
SENIOR SECTION
Advice from a Senior:
Senior Destinations:
After a rigorous four years, the class of 2020 is graduating! Check out where your friends and peers are headed. (pages 6-7).
Photo: BusinessInsider.com
The Mirador gives the juniors, sophomores and freshmen advice advice as they enter a new chapter. (page 2).
Mirador
Photo: Juliet Adams
Photo: Vector Stock
May 27, 2020
Seniors Receive Surprises From Volunteers
SARA LEHMAN
Between April 6 and 24, parents of the Class of 2020 delivered three surprise gifts to the home of every Miramonte senior, including a “Proud Home of a Miramonte Class of 2020 Graduate” yard sign, “The One Where We Were Quarantined” t-shirt, and Mardi Gras-themed Senior Ball masks. Other accessories included a tumbler with the design “Keep Calm and Quarantine On,” and a stress ball and credit card holder labelled “Miramonte Class of 2020 Strong”. Additionally, the Class of 2023 gifted red roses to each senior on May 9 to commemorate the orignial date of Senior Ball. Because the final quarter of the 2019-2020 school year was moved to distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been working with Miramonte Administration to provide memorable moments for the soon-to-be-graduating Mats. After noting that other schools in the Acalanes Union High School District were delivering similar yard signs, Miramonte Principal Julie Parks and Parents Club President Tricia Young decided to assemble a team of parent volunteers to provide the signs and other gifts so seniors “would know we were thinking of them during this difficult time,” Class of 2020 Parent Advisor Michelle Goldsmith said. Using residential records available through Miramonte and a mapping application called Mapline, 26 parent volunteers delivered the items to all 319 seniors in various neighborhoods around the community. Parent Denice Gant spearheaded the coordination and brainstormed the gift and design ideas. The company Just Yard Signs supplied the lawn posters, Spoken Cloth provided the t-shirts, and Any Promo produced the accessories.
Photos: Sara Lehman
Class President Ashleigh Lightbody and parent Vanessa Bell created the idea for the Senior Ball reveal. The date and location are still to be determined, but as the invitation states, “Senior Ball is happening!” In total, Parents Club and the Parent Advisors spent about $15 per student, for a sum of almost $4,800. “The school and parent community wanted the Class of 2020 to know they have not been forgotten, and that we understand this is an important milestone that needs to be celebrated. I really want to thank all of our volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make all of this happen for the senior class. We have an amazing class of parent volunteers,” Michelle Goldsmith said. The cancellation of the traditional school year challenged many seniors to adjust to a new lifestyle. “Missing the last quarter of school is really difficult because second semester senior year was supposed to be a really fun time. Also, as someone who plays a spring sport, it was difficult to hear that the last season of my high school career is cut short,” senior Eli Goldsmith said. Many seniors believe the graduation gifts helped establish a sense of community. “It was such a nice surprise to wake up to the signs, I really appreciated their outreach to the seniors. I think the t-shirts and the signs were a nice way of recognizing the seniors and what we are losing due to quarantine, while still remaining positive,” senior Ella Tierney said. “It was a cool gesture that made me remember I’m still a part of Miramonte,” senior Jackson Oxner said. “I think it was a really good idea to have some way of remembering these times that we all had to go through together as a class because this way we will never forget it and we can all come out of this stronger,” Eli Goldsmith said.
Annual Events Redesigned Due to Pandemic
ISLA BURCH & NAOMI MESFIN Amid these current unprecedented times, the class of 2020 is arguably the most affected group of students. Having possibly the most fun semester of their high school career taken away from them, is heartbreaking. During these tough times, Miramonte has stayed true to their values and tried to emulate the spirit of second semester. Whether it be dropping off new quarantine class shirts, masks, or a rose on the day of our ball, Miramonte has come together to support seniors. While the traditional events such as Post Senior Day and graduation are set up differently than in past years, members of the Miramonte community have worked hard to create experiences that are memorable regardless of the situation. May 20, Miramonte seniors made their way to the first stop of the Senior Breakfast and Cap and Gown Pick-up event at Orinda Intermediate School (OIS). There, students were met by parent volunteers who
passed out a breakfast burrito, chips, cookies, and a drink. The next stop was J-Lot at Miramonte High School. On the drive from OIS to Miramonte, students were greeted by neighbors cheering and waving in their front yards as each car went by. They held posters that read “Go Seniors” and “Class of 2020” and wore college tshirts. Upon arrival at Miramonte, cars were directed to the J-Lot where many of the teachers and other staff members lined up on either side of the parking lot. As the cars drove through the parking lot, students were able to see their teachers' faces and wave goodbye. After driving through all the teachers, students made their last stop at the end of the parking lot where they were able to pick up their senior class panoramic, cap and gown, and other accessories for graduation. Recently, Miramonte principal Julie Parks sent out an email explaining their efforts to hold a graduation that was a hybrid of virtual and in-person. For example, stu-
dents will still be able to walk across the stage and take photos. However, the senior class president’s speech, the student musical performances, the pledge of allegiance, and the Principal’s address will all be live streamed to families. On June 1, starting around 9:30 a.m., seniors will begin to walk on a stage set up in the quad. In order to stay in compliance with health guidelines, only a certain number of people are permitted to be on campus. Similarly to the cap and gown pick up, students will be assigned certain time slots. As they arrive on campus, students will be able to see their classmates' memory boards and pick up their leis. Students will finish walking at 4 and the whole event will be recorded so friends and family who aren’t physically able to there, can still enjoy this special moment. At 4:30 p.m. the senior class president, Ashleigh Lightbody, will perform the ceremonial changing of the tassels which students can do virtually.
“Going into planning our class’s graduation I was a little nervous at the task of simulating traditional components of graduation in our current circumstances, however I think the collaboration between Ms. Parks and our class officers paid off and we’re super excited at what we’ve created,” Lightbody said.
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