The official shutdown of schools in Lee County was April 10th, which left the graduating class heartbroken and in disbelief from the cancelation of their final high school experiences such as Grad Bash, prom, the remaining sport senior nights, and traditional graduation. This has left seniors at a standstill moment in their lives that they will never forget. 

        The schools and cities are attempting to better the situation and honor graduating seniors by creating virtual versions of what these students are missing out on. Many people have created Facebook pages to donate money or buy supplies for some of the 2020 class going to college from items on their wishlists. Cape Coral High School held a virtual prom court vote on May 7, and their virtual graduation will be on June 20 at 7 p.m.

         If the health and safety guidelines are permissible, Cape High will have an in-person graduation on July 25 at Suncoast Arena. The graduates will be permitted to bring two guests to accompany them. While patiently waiting from those dates to grow closer, the seniors will be picking up their purchased yearbooks, graduation attire, and yard signs while returning chromebooks and textbooks on Wednesday, May 20. 

        Cape High also created a YouTube video in honor of decision day on May 1 by having the seniors send in pictures of themselves, where they are attending college, and what they are majoring in. They posted the link on the school’s Twitter account; in addition, they have also posted numerous pictures of the seniors participating in spirit week, pictures with their pets, and the staff with inspirational handwritten quotes.

        The Lee County School District began honoring all the graduating seniors on Friday, May 15 with segments on the NBC2 News at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The seniors must send a 10-15 second video saying their name and where they’re going to college and then upload it to Google Drive and send the link to [email protected]. These segments will last until Friday, June 12.

        While this experience is difficult and life changing, the schools and the Lee District are attempting to do all they can to lift the spirits of the hardworking graduates. They are doing so in creative and inspirational ways, so that these students don’t feel as if all their diligent commitment for the past 12 years has gone unnoticed or unappreciated because of the circumstances.