GREEN BAY, WI – May is a month of graduations, and as high schools are preparing their virtual graduations, colleges got a head start on painting the picture of what that may look like the last couple of weekends.
Bellin College in Green Bay recently held their “virtual graduation” at the Field of Scenes Outdoor Theater in Freedom.
Green Bay resident Lexi Herzog, a Shawano native, took part as a graduate of their ultrasound program.
Lexi currently works at Bellin Hospital and attended Bellin College for three years for her ultrasound degree.
For Herzog, the college offered a chance to get an education as well as a job at the same time.
“They do have a lot of their students working, but not everyone works at Bellin Hosptial. I was fortunate.”
The ultrasound program is a newer program at Bellin College.
“We were the second class to graduate.”
Like most graduations, the Class of 2020 was supposed to have a big commencement ceremony with all of the pomp and circumstance.
“We were supposed to have it at the Weidner Center and have a Senior Breakfast the day before,” Herzog said. “We did not get to have that or get to shake hands with our professors.”
Herzog says like all of the graduates this year, she had to keep postive about the whole experience.
“After three years of hard work, I was really looking forward to walking across that stage,” she said. “I was greatful for what they did put together.
The day consisted of all the graduates and their families watching the ceremoy on the movie screen and a celebration in their cars. Herzog says she was not able to bring as many people as she normaly would have been able to.
“You were able to bring one car full of people, but since I am married, my inlaws were able to come in a seperate car.”
She said social distancing was highlighted and they had some strict guidelines to follow.
“You had to stay in your vehicle the whole time and the one time we could get out was when the professional photographer came around to take your picture.”
She says while it was not the same graduation that she was expecting at the beginning of the year, it did offer some unique oppertunties.
“Everyone had noisemakers and when they called your name, people would honk horns.”
Herzog says another difference was getting to sit with family instead of her graduating class.
“It was nice to be able to talk to them and answer any questions they had at the time.”
Herzog said she was in a car with her husband as well as her mom, dad and younger sister.
“It was nice, but it was not nice being crammed in a car together,” Lexi joked.
Lexi’s younger sister Annalyse Wilber is a member of the Shawano High School class of 2020. For the family, it will be another different type of graduation. Lexi says he is glad her sister got to witness a virtual graduation so she could see some of the positive differences that can result in it.
From what she learned, Herzog wanted to send a message to all of those who will be graduating in the next weeks or months.
“Just try to stay postive,” she said. “The schools are trying to do something for you and they are not just going to forget about you.”
Some schools are planning a virtual graduation of some sort. Bonduel High School held their graduation at the Shawano Outdoor Theater on Friday night. Shawano is postponing their graduation until August, but they are holding a Senior Recognition night this Friday.
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