2020 graduates get to celebrate at Field of Dreams

Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) high school principals have joined forces to create a memorable graduation celebration May 21 and 22 for the more than 1,600 graduates who are part of the class of 2020.

“We know it is important for them to have some kind of a culminating event,” said district superintendent Karen Trujillo during a virtual press conference. “Our commitment is to [also] have an actual commencement when and if we are able, knowing it may not be able to happen until the fall, or even six to nine months from now, and not everybody will be able to attend. We know that this is something that will be special to everybody.”

Trujillo said the principals of the individual high schools have been meeting and planning the celebration, and she turned the meeting over to allow them to talk about the specific plans for the event.
The graduation celebration will be held during the regularly scheduled graduation times already set up for each school May 21 and May 22, all at the Field of Dreams.

Graduates should show up at the Field of Dreams East parking lot at least 30 minutes before the start of graduation with no more than five people in the vehicle, including the graduate.

“We would like the seniors to decorate their cars and wear their cap and gown,” said Arrowhead Park Principal Gabriela Alaniz. “And seniors, for the first time in I don’t know how long, you can decorate that cap if you want to. We chose Field of Dreams because we can control the traffic and broadcast live from there.”

There will be staff available on the East side to line up all the cars and each graduate will get their name card, so the names can be read on the other side of the stadium for the live portion of the ceremony. Students are not going to be announced in alphabetical order.

Principals will be reaching out to the graduation speakers to prerecord their speeches, Pledge of Allegiance and any performances that each individual high school has planned. These recorded pieces will be put together as the preprogram and will be livestreamed at the start of graduation on Facebook and on the district website.

Once the prerecorded portion is over, the procession will start. The cars will be driven to the west parking lot, where school administration will give out graduation memorabilia. And the graduates may have their picture taken at that time.

Finally, they will drive out through the west parking lot. There are no plans for spectators or parades at any time to comply with state restrictions on social distancing, and it will not be possible to accommodate spectators due to large graduating-class sizes.

Principals will be sending out detailed information to seniors and their parents by Sunday, May 3, and each student will receive an invitation in their school email to attend a Zoom meeting with their administrators next week.

“Go all out with your cars, decorate your caps, and take advantage of the opportunities that we have, and let’s make this something to remember for the entire community of Las Cruces,” Trujillo said.