Seniors hope for in-person Grad Night

Grad Night organizers are increasingly optimistic that the event could take place in-person in some form on June 3, giving the Class of 2021 a more normal ending to a year that has been gutted of its usual activities because of the pandemic.

Grad Night is one last time for the graduating class to celebrate together in an all-night long party before moving on from high school. Due to the pandemic, the Class of 2020’s Grad Night was canceled and the prospects for a Class of 2021 Grad Night seemed low until recently.

But with the district soon moving to Phase 3 this month, there is a possibility that it might be safe enough for the Class of 2021 to have a Grad Night by June. 

“We are going to try and have an in-person Grad Night since it is what the students want,” parent coordinator Beth Kingsley said. “We know they are tired of Zoom and virtual activities. We hope to end their senior year on a high note by socializing with their friends in-person.”

Kingsley and fellow parent coordinator Monica Reddy have started planning for an in-person Grad Night; however, it is still pending approval from both superintendent Dr. Michael Grove and the Santa Clara County Department of Health. To be approved the event must abide by all of the regulations for allowed additional activities, as stated by the Santa Clara County Public Health website. The school must also be in Phase 2 of its 4 part plan to get students back on campus.

In order to keep everyone safe, the event would take place outside and be in cohorts with a max of 25 people, which are to be selected by the students themselves, Kingsley said. They are also planning to have a hand sanitizing station that the students will use periodically. Students will also be required to wear masks, except when eating, and will have to social distance throughout the night.

The self-selected cohorts will cycle through outdoor activities. Although some activities will be similar to those in previous years, Kingley and Reddy are keeping the specificities of the activities as a surprise for the students. The event will not have any indoor activities (as it has in the past), but Reddy and Kingsley said they plan to have similar activities as previous years. 

Students can buy tickets at the SHS Grad Night website for $205 until March 31. The prices will rise to $225 on April 1. Since the Grad Night is still pending approval, if canceled, the tickets will be refunded (except for nonrefundable expenses like T-shirts).

“We are so hopeful this will come to fruition,” Kingsley said. “The Class of 2021 has missed out on a lot already, and we really do hope they will be able to do something special.”