The Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, community came together to celebrate its graduating high school seniors with a parade and ceremony at the base's Hardin Field.
Though it wasn't a typical graduation ceremony, the Kirtland community made it just as memorable by hosting a parade and giving the seniors a chance to walk across the graduation stage in traditional fashion.
"During this pandemic, our graduates have missed out on the opportunity to walk across the stage and be celebrated for this significant milestone in their life," said Air Force Master Sgt. Raechael Evans, a pharmacy flight chief with the 377th Medical Group. "We wanted to make sure they were recognized for all of their hard work, and as a military family, we made it happen."
Evans said the event honored 27 seniors from 17 schools in the local area. It included a parade with seniors riding in classic cars, firetrucks, security forces vehicles and decorated floats created by various groups and councils that volunteered to make the special day possible.
Air Force Col. David S. Miller, the commander of the 377th Air Base Wing, commenced the ceremony and gave congratulatory elbow bumps to each graduate as they walked across the stage.
"This wasn't the day you thought you would have," Miller said. "It's certainly not the one your parents wanted to give you. It's not what your schools wanted to give you, but this is an incredible day where there was an outreach of the heart from leaders that you didn’t even know to make sure you remembered this day."
With the help of the community and leadership, the Class of 2020 was able to officially move their tassels to the left and graduate in front of friends and family.
"It's such an amazing experience to be a part of a community that cares for everyone," said Roree Stewart, a graduate from Eldorado High School. "I feel very appreciative being able to relate to a community where we are all loved by so many people that we don't even know. "
(Air Force Airman 1st Class Ireland Summers is assigned to the 377th Air Base Wing.)