‘This is our chance to leave a legacy’
Alexa Howell, 18, receives her diploma from Martie Dickman as about 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony.
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Alexa Howell, 18, receives her diploma from Martie Dickman as about 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during a drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Saylor Stottlemeyer, Durango High School class president, speaks during the DHS graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School senior Kiara Hamlin, 18, with Gavin Hamlin, 15, and Lance Hamlin attend the DHS graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School senior Corey Meek, 17, and Frank Meek attend the DHS graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Dan Snowberger, superintendent of Durango School District 9-R, attends the DHS graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during the drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Saylor Stottlemeyer, Durango High School class president, speaks during the DHS graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Keynote speaker, Mickey Wilson, delivers his speech during the DHS graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school during the drive-in graduation ceremony. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Rush Webster pauses with Jon Hoerl, Durango High School principal, for a photo during the DHS drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School seniors parade down Main Avenue after their drive-in graduation ceremony on Saturday in the parking lot of the high school. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Students in Durango High School’s Class of 2020 embarked on their futures from the seats of their cars during a drive-in graduation ceremony, delayed and adapted because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for May 22, took place with limited attendance, social distancing and other restrictions intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Durango School District 9-R had discussed how to conduct the ceremony for months, and San Juan Basin Public Health declined to support some of its earlier plans.
For most families and students, the event might not have been what they expected, but it was worth it.
“This is nice to see that everyone’s coming together,” said graduate, Jael Larson. “I think it’s good closure that everyone needs to move onto the next chapter of their lives.”
Attendance was limited to one vehicle for each of the 250 graduates. Some families sat on their truck beds or stood outside in the hot, cloudless day, listening to the ceremony broadcast over 99X, 99.7 or XRock 105.3. Next to the stage, high school staff members sat 6 feet apart in chairs. The setup drew honks, whistles and cheers as applause for the speakers and graduates on stage.
About 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday in the parking lot of the high school.
“It’s a pretty big stepping stone in anyone’s life, so it’s nice to actually have (a ceremony),” said graduate Fynn Hyson.
The school district asked families to sign an agreement saying they would stay in their cars and wear face coverings. But come graduation day, many could not resist reuniting with friends and parents they had not seen in months, and few wore masks.
“(The pandemic) has presented challenges for sure, and I’m of course really happy that we can do this for the Class of 2020,” said Sgt. Tim Dixon, supervisor of the school resource officers.
“It’s their day,” he said. “We tried to have everybody stay in their cars, but we knew that was probably not going to happen. We hope everybody can stay safe and well after this.”
Of almost 15 students and family members interviewed by The Durango Herald, most appreciated having the ceremony, even with its adaptations. A few thought a ski chairlift graduation would have been cooler or did not feel the virus was serious enough to warrant the adapted ceremony format.
“It’s wonderful that the school is doing something. You know how many schools across the country didn’t?” said Phyllis Ford, one student’s grandmother.
Graduate Savion Jones said it was different from what he was expecting.
“I was looking forward to ... seeing everyone’s faces one last time at the place we called home for the last four years. That’s kind of disappointing,” Jones said. “It is really cool to see all these people putting in all this work just to have something for us.”
The Class of 2020 raised the bar for future DHS classes, said Principal Jon Hoerl in his commencement speech. They increased enrollment in career and technical education classes by 600%. They took more advanced placement exams and scored higher than any other class in the school’s history. The list of achievements spanned orchestra to aerospace and athletics.
Cars lined up in the Durango High School parking lot as about 250 Durango High School seniors received their diplomas Saturday during a drive-in graduation ceremony.
“I hope you remember you have left a legacy, a renewed sense of Demon pride,” Hoerl said. “I will only have one class that came into the building with me as a first-time principal ... I am so thrilled I got to do it with this class of 2020.”
A variety of speakers stepped onto the stage to congratulate the senior class, from students to the superintendent, Dan Snowberger, and even Mickey Wilson, the keynote speaker. Wilson, a professional slackliner and DHS graduate, caught the attention of the nation in 2017 when he rescued an unconscious skier dangling from a chairlift by climbing 30 feet on the chairlift cables.
One of the event’s student speakers, graduate Laura Clark, said her classmates were in a defining moment – particularly as a generation whose lives have been marked by crises.
“Our entire childhood has been bookended by world crisis – first 9/11 when we came into the world, and now COVID-19,” Clark said, listing the fires, earthquakes, shootings, terrorist attacks and other crises that have marked their childhoods.
“Even though we have witnessed and been impacted by these world events, we are an undefined generation. ... This may be our defining moment,” Clark said. “How we act now, how we choose to utilize these events to unify and make us stronger, will change the course of history. This is our chance to leave a legacy.”
smullane@durangoherald.com
