B.C.’s grads finding ways to be creative and celebrate milestones amid pandemic
Posted May 29, 2021 10:28 am.
Last Updated May 29, 2021 10:41 am.
NEW WESTMINSTER (CityNews) — B.C.’s restart has meant renewed hope for graduates who have had to find new ways to celebrate during the pandemic.
Holly Burr is one of the thousands of young people looking forward to graduating in B.C. She’s already had several celebrations, and her ceremony was pre-recorded.
Even though she and her friends have been trying to be positive and creative, Burr admits the circumstances aren’t ideal.
“We thought COVID would have cleared up by now, but unfortunately not,” Burr tells CityNews.
While B.C.’s timeframe doesn’t quite work in Burr’s favour, other grads may be in luck.
Related Article: COVID-19: British Columbia’s restart plan by stages
New Westminster’s school district is cautiously optimistic after B.C.’s Restart Plan was unveiled that there could be opportunities for families and students to celebrate at graduation ceremonies together.
“Only an individual like the graduate will walk the stage to shake the principal’s hand, and receive their diploma and the family will be present in the theatre,” says Karim Hachlaf, the Superintendent for New West Schools. “Then we’ll work through the system in a very coordinated fashion because we can’t have multiple graduates in the theatre at the same time.”
But students are not giving up on all the usual traditions.
Sheila Isaaks is the store manager at The Bridal Gallery in New Westminster and says she has seen more grads since the Restart Plan was announced. She says most are coming in to choose a dress in the hopes of marking their graduation milestone with a photoshoot.
“They’re wearing it for their small family group within their house, maybe doing a backyard barbeque, then going to a park, doing photoshoots with their friends,” Isaaks says.
She adds that young people are still “thinking outside of the box” to make sure they can celebrate this milestone.
“At the end of the day, the grads of 2021 are the grads of 2021. It’s not like a wedding where you can postpone it or move it.”
And that’s exactly what Burr plans to do — make the most of it.
“A couple of my friends, we’re going to Cactus Club at English Bay, going back to her house to watch movies, and the four of us are going to sleep in a tent, and then the next day we’re going to watch the grad online,” Burr says.
As for other grads who may feel like they are in a creative rut, Burr says, “Be COVID safe, try and make memories, make a bucket list of things you want to do.”
“Get your vaccine, try and be safe, and keep your close ones around. You’ve been stuck with each other for more than a year now. And those are the ones that really matter.”
