Graduation for Gateway seniors held in Monroeville Mall parking lot

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MONROEVILLE, Pa. — Normally this time of the year, high school auditoriums and stadiums would be filled with family and friends ready to celebrate this year's graduating class.

But because of the pandemic and some quick thinking, the parking lot of the Macy’s at Monroeville Mall turned into the perfect place to send off Gateway High School’s senior class.

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School officials knew students might feel that they missed out if they didn't have some authentic moment of celebration, so they worked hard to make this happen.

Proud parents and other family members watched a big screen from their cars while listening to their child's name being called on a FM radio channel.

The Gateway High Class of 2020 walked on stage to get their own diploma with new rules for the rite of passage:

  • No shaking hands with the principal or superintendent.
  • Keeping 6 feet apart.
  • And along with the cap and gown, there were the required masks.

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