‘My big screen moment’: Amid COVID-19, KCK seniors graduate at a drive-in theater

Instead of walking into their graduation ceremony, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science seniors rode in cars down the Boulevard Drive-In Theatre’s long driveway as “Pomp and Circumstance” played from speakers.

Dressed in blue caps and gowns, the graduating class of 173 students parked and tuned their radios to 89.7 FM as if they were about to watch a movie at the 70-year-old drive-in. Instead, they were about to watch themselves on the big screen.

It was Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools’ way of getting creative in the coronavirus era. With districts across the Kansas City area hosting graduations online or postponing them until later in the summer, KCK decided to offer something different for its high schools.

“We’re just trying to make it as memorable as possible, and I think this is one of those things that they will never forget,” said Sharita Hutton, district spokeswoman. “They’ll be able to talk about their high school graduation pretty vividly.”

On Thursday, Sumner was the fourth of the district’s six drive-in graduations.

“Although it’s not what we wanted,” said Sumner graduate Jose Flores, “it’s still a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The district limited the crowd to 350 cars — half of the drive-in’s usual capacity so everyone could social distance. The district allowed each graduate one car, with a 15-person limit. For loved ones unable to attend, the district live-streamed the event on its Facebook page.

Some graduates and their families sat on top of their cars or poked their heads out of sunroofs to watch the ceremony. Others climbed onto truck tailgates.

Some graduates stepped outside of their cars briefly to snap photos with classmates they hadn’t seen in months.

“It’s really something that’s still special because I can still see all of my peers even with the social distancing,” Diamond Jones said.

The ceremony played like a movie, complete with the title, “Sumner 2020 Graduation,” and graphics as transitions between each section of the program.

The district’s communications team created the six graduation videos. Each took about 20 hours to make, Hutton said.

“It’s not just a bunch of videos put together,” Hutton said. “It has that movie feel to it, but it’s all dedicated to the students.”

Pre-recorded videos replaced in-person speeches from the likes of Superintendent Charles Foust, 2014 Sumner graduate and internet star Kalen Allen, a school board member, one of Sumner’s teachers and its principal. But the valedictorian spoke live.

After the speeches, graduates’ photos appeared on the screen along with their names, replacing a walk across a stage.

The cars honked — mostly replacing clapping — to cheer for the graduates.

“I want to be an actor/filmmaker, so I’ve always imagined myself on the big screen,” said senior Gael Martinez. “But I didn’t imagine this would be the moment I have my big screen moment.”

Graduates and their families decorated their vehicles as they normally would have their caps, some with their names chalked on windows along with phrases like “Congrats, grad,” “Sí se pudo,” “Class of 2020” and “#BLM” (Black Lives Matter).

Others attached blue, white and silver balloons or congratulations banners with their names.

“These families have found some unique ways to really honor their seniors,” Hutton said.

Martinez decorated his truck with a Mexican flag and banners to honor his heritage.

Alexander Aguirre decorated his cap and the underside of his car with LED lights. He also attached Wichita State University paraphernalia to the car, the school he plans to attend in the fall.

“I definitely am sad that we’re not having a regular graduation,” Aguirre said.

Victoria Requenes wore a cap with white flowers to pay homage to her family’s Mexican heritage as her two brothers, who also graduated from Sumner, sat in the backseat.

“I think our class is the only class that will probably experience this,” Requenes said. “It’s not ideal, but I think it’s an interesting experience, and I really appreciate everything that our district has done for us because a lot of other schools and other states didn’t get any type of celebration.”

KCK graduates can pick up their diplomas at their high school the day after their ceremonies.

KCK will have two more graduations at the drive-in: Washington High School on Monday and Wyandotte High School on Tuesday.