Carpinteria and Rincon high school graduates received diplomas at a drive-in commencement ceremony at the Carpinteria High School campus on Thursday evening.

The Carpinteria Unified School District held the unique graduation rather than the traditional ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic and limits on large gatherings.

A livestreamed video also was planned for relatives and other supporters who weren’t able to be physically present at the event.

Nearly 150 students — donning red caps and red gowns — participated in this year’s graduation ceremony, Principal Gerardo Cornejo said.

Graduates, families, faculty and staff arrived with masks and smiles.

The program occurred in the high school parking lot, and each graduate had a designated spot, with one vehicle per family.

“We can’t say give everybody a round of applause, so let’s give one big, long car horn,” Cornejo told the crowd while standing on the school’s rooftop. “I’m sure everyone in Carpinteria can hear the excitement at Carpinteria High School.”

The horn-honking and the cheering stopped.

“Wow,” Cornejo said. “Give Carpinteria a pandemic, and this is what we can do. Just imagine what else we can do if we can work together as a community and make this a better place than what it is today.”

Victor Rinaldi, valedictorian of the Carpinteria High School Class of 2020, delivers remarks from the roof at Carpinteria High School on Thursday evening. (Brooke Holland / Noozhawk photo)

The graduating class has excelled in academics, athletic competitions, the arts and extracurricular activities, and “many over the last weeks have assumed responsibilities that of an adult as they assist in supporting their families through these difficult times,” Cornejo said.

As young adults, the newest batch of graduates demonstrate perseverance, tenacity and leadership, he said.

Cornejo urged the Class of 2020 to focus on the positive, learn from mistakes, and always remember their friends, family and supportive community.

“I’m confident the future is bright and full of opportunities for the Class of 2020,” Cornejo said. “You are destined to accomplish great things in life, you have what it takes, and never give up your dreams, especially never let someone take your dreams away from you.”

He said the graduates “are more than prepared to face life.”

The majority of the vehicles at the ceremony were decorated with balloons and streamers, and many had a graduate’s portrait or name written in colorful markers or signs.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Carpinteria Unified School District Superintendent Diana Rigby congratulated the Class of 2020 and welcomed the faculty and staff, parents and others who helped make the graduates’ achievement possible.

Rigby described Thursday’s event as “the most unique graduation ceremony in the 103-year-old history of Carpinteria High School.”

“Just look at this transformed parking lot thanks to many helping hands,” she said. “It’s fabulous, and I know it’s not the traditional graduation ceremony in the stadium you expected nor deserved, but it will be talked about forever.”  

The Class of 2020 looked forward to having some fun and milestone events during the final semester of high school, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the majority of it.

Carpinteria Unified School District Superintendent Diana Rigby delivers remarks from the roof at Carpinteria High School campus on Thursday evening. (Brooke Holland / Noozhawk photo)

The students graduating during the pandemic were forced to adapt and celebrate their accomplishments as best as possible.

“We are Warriors and Carpinteria strong,” Rigby said. “No pandemic is going to diminish our pride or celebration for each and every one of our proud graduates.”

A giant jumbo screen facing Foothill Road was stationed outside of the school, and all of the speakers delivered remarks from a podium on the school's roof.

Handmade banners of the Carpinteria graduates were hanging all over the front of the high school.

From their vehicles, the Class of 2020 and their families listened to speeches from valedictorian Victor Rinaldi and salutatorians Nathan Endow and Derek Ramirez.

Rinaldi sent off the graduating class with a message to “always know you have what it takes to succeed.”

He also mentioned some of the challenges they faced in high school.

“I know that if our class has made it here today through a pandemic and a fire (2017 Thomas Fire) burning down the hill right behind me,” Rinaldi said, “I know this class has what it takes to handle whatever path we choose no matter what life throws at them.”

One by one, graduates were announced over the loudspeaker to walk across a makeshift stage and have an official picture taken. They also received flowers from Rigby.

Rincon High School serves as a continuation high school for the Carpinteria Unified School District.

— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

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