Notre Dame senior Joczlyne Hernandez, 17, stops for the camera during an upbeat car parade in the Riverside school’s parking lot Friday, May 1, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame senior Joczlyne Hernandez, 17, receives cheers from faculty during a car parade in the Riverside school’s parking lot Friday, May 1, 2020. She’s bound for Riverside City College to study nursing. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Notre Dame senior Kayla Edwards, 17, of Riverside, who is bound for Hollywood’s Columbia College, parades in the school’s parking lot Friday, May 1, 2020. She’ll study to become a cinematographer. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame High School senior Joczlyne Hernandez’s wheel of life includes softball, volleyball and soccer, proudly displayed on a vehicle as she parades in at the Riverside school’s parking lot Friday, May 1, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame instructors Clinton White, left, and Dr. Arian Avila show their support for seniors colorfully during a car parade in the Riverside school’s parking lot Friday, May 1, 2020. The car parade celebration recognizes senior’s commitment to a college, military branch or career. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Adrianna Rodriguez, 17, of Riverside shows off her next venture during a car parade in the Riverside school’s parking lot Friday, May 1, 2020. The celebration recognizes senior’s commitment to a college, military branch or career. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame celebrates the seniors’ commitment to college, the workforce, and the armed forces with a Class of 2020 Rally on Friday, May 1, 2020. The drive-through celebration was cheered on by faculty staff. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Rosie Espino, Notre Dame instructor, celebrates the seniors’ commitment to college, the workforce, and the armed forces with a Class of 2020 Rally at the Riverside school Friday, May 1, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Pride was high as Notre Dame celebrates the seniors’ commitment to college, the workforce, and the armed forces with a Class of 2020 Rally at the Riverside school Friday, May 1, 2020. The drive-through celebration was cheered on by faculty staff. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame seniors paraded in front of their school Friday, May 1, driving cars decorated to represent their college or career choice and waving to school staff who applauded their achievements.
The celebration — designed to comply with social distancing requirements to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, such as staying more than 6 feet apart and wearing masks — was a bit different from previous years.
Normally, Notre Dame celebrates seniors committing to a college, military branch or career within a few days of senior signing day, which this year was Wednesday, April 29.
The coronavirus pandemic has led many schools to push back their deadlines, however, and many students aren’t committed yet.
But they were ready to celebrate, said counselor Brittney McKeehan, who helped organize the rally, which started at 5 p.m. in front of the school along Brockton Avenue and Nixon Drive.
Most of the school’s 128 seniors and about 40 faculty and staff planned to participate, she said.
“This is something the whole school has looked forward to,” McKeehan said. “We still have a lot to celebrate.”
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