Eighth-graders celebrate their Immanuel Lutheran School graduation

Eighth-graders from Immanuel Lutheran School on the edge of downtown Palatine celebrated their graduation by walking around their building and being honored with a car parade as part of the festivities Friday.

Roughly 25 students participated in the late-afternoon ceremony that, like so many others, was altered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Decked out in their blue graduation gowns and wearing masks, the students first lined up a socially distant 6 feet apart in chalked-off spots on the Bothwell Street side of the school. A DJ played energetic music for the students and the crowd of parents, teachers and others.

After a prayer, the students walked counterclockwise around the school while the car parade of adults drove in the opposite direction.

"These graduates deserve the best parade and we are so excited," parent Dana Roe said.

Immanuel Lutheran has students in early childhood through eighth grade. The school's stated mission is to partner with families to equip children for lifelong learning and service through a rigorous academic program in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment.