Schools invent new ways to celebrate Class of 2020

States including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Washington have closed schools for the remainder of the academic year while a majority of colleges have done the same in order to social distance. This means that seniors across the U.S. are are missing out on their last sports games, proms and graduation.

Some colleges and high schools plan to postpone graduation while others are beginning to propose a new type of graduation. Many companies and organizations are also offering their support. Social media has been bombarded with senior pictures from years past in solidarity with the Class of 2020.

For students from all backgrounds, these rites of passage are extremely important. First-generation students, students whose parents did not attend college, are particularly at a loss because graduation is an incredibly important milestone for the whole family.

Jostens launches Virtual Commencement Centers

Jostens, a company that provides the nation with commemorative jewelry and graduation products, launched free Virtual Commencement Centers to help high schools and colleges continue the tradition of graduating the senior class.

The Virtual Commencement Centers are a digital tool that allows high schools and colleges to conduct online ceremonies for graduates at no cost to the schools or the families.

The centers will deliver free digital tools like the Pomp & Circumstance audio files, digital commencement speeches from notable figures and student slide templates.

The Virtual Commencement Centers are available through high school and college Jostens sales representatives.

High schools, colleges host isolated graduation ceremonies

A high school in Clinton, Arkansas went all in on a plan to honor the Class of 2020. The high school will hold an individual ceremony for each senior and their immediate family in which the student's name will be read and they will walk across the stage to receive their diploma.

A production company will capture each individual ceremony on video and put the videos together into a comprehensive film that families will be able to watch at a drive-in movie theater in May. Each family will also receive a copy of the ceremony on film.

The high school is also featuring each senior on its Facebook page, which several other schools have decided to do as well.

Members of the Class of 2020 are even attempting to have former U.S. President Barack Obama deliver a virtual commencement speech.