Posing for a group photo in caps and gowns, like this group of 2019 Temecula Valley High School seniors, will become a dream not realized for many seniors graduating from area schools in 2020. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, local school districts are increasingly turning to virtual graduations to honor seniors who won’t be able to receive their diplomas in-person due to orders banning public gatherings.When public health orders forced schools to close in March, many districts did not commit one way or the other on when and how graduations would take place.Some districts are still weighing the decision, but as of the beginning of May, many have come to the conclusion that in-person graduations cannot go on.One of those districts is Hemet Unified School District, whose superintendent came to the decision after meeting virtually with high school principals and some senior students and concluding that a delayed in-person ceremony would pose logistical challenges
