Dist. 155 rolls out red carpet for grads

It was a red carpet experience for Crystal Lake High School District 155 graduates Friday.

Cary-Grove, Prairie Ridge, Crystal Lake South and Crystal Lake Central high schools held their commencement ceremonies Friday in an outdoor, drive-through ceremony.

"We are providing graduation ceremonies for all of our seniors ... to get their diplomas and have a chance to finish up their experience here," Crystal Lake South Principal Josh Nobilio said. "It was great to have individual conversations with the students as they walk through picking up their diplomas and having a chance to talk to every family member. It was a great day."

Graduate Maya Alvarez, 18, of Crystal Lake walked the red carpet at Crystal Lake South High to the applause of her large family, which stood in attendance taking pictures. "It's exciting that they put this on for us," she said.

Graduates at Cary-Grove High School drove up to a small tent in the parking lot and were greeted by Principal Neil Lesinski.

"Today is our second day of drive-up graduations,” he said. “It's great to say something to each kid. Usually we shake their hand, hand them their diploma in a normal graduation and they are on their way."

"This is a really special thing we got to do for our senior class,” Lesinski added, referring to the drive-up aspect of the ceremony.

Cary-Grove graduate Lydia Forney, 18, of Cary kept the tradition alive by tossing her cap into the air to the cheers of her family.