PHOTOS: Woodbridge’s Class of 2020 honored in ‘drive-by’ event staged by parents and students

Decorations were made to honor the Class of 2020 Thursday at Woodbridge. The posted included the names of all the graduates. (Photos courtesy Woodbridge parents)

Woodbridge High parents and students found a way to make a ‘drive-by’ event memorable for the school’s 597 seniors in the Class of 2020 Thursday afternoon around the campus.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic which limited studies to an on-line format, graduation ceremonies went to a virtual format this year. That left seniors missing out on many typical senior activities, including a traditional graduation ceremony.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Woodbridge seniors in front (upper left) Maddie Lyon, Oregon State; Kayla Babyak, Arizona State and back Jayla Land, Washington State and Sophia Leyerle, TCU.

Trey Silber and his Woodbridge HS friends (from left) Trey Silber, Alex Collins, Aidan Galbraith, Aidan Escalante, Daniel Ortega, Van Le before Thursday's event.
Photo courtesy Jon Silber

All the names of the Woodbridge graduates were included on a poster in front of the athletic field.

Woodbridge track and cross country standout Sierra Shaver was among those who took part in the event Thursday.
Photo courtesy Shaver family

A poster was on display for the Woodbridge graduates Thursday.

From left, Dario Amirghahari and Jon Hart from Woodbridge, Austin Malick (Newport Harbor) and Connor Skahan and Kaleb Go-Williams from Woodbridge on Thursday.
Photo courtesy Monique Skahan

Woodbridge graduate Connor Skahan next to his name in the banner Thursday.
Photo courtesy Monique Skahan

Some of the graduates are transported in a truck during Thursday's event.

But the parents and students went to extra lengths to recognize the 2020 graduating seniors in the event, which was not sanctiioned by the school or the school district. Students drove by in their cars in a 5-mile route in Woodbridge and were cheered on by supporters who had gathered to wish them well. The enthusiastic students showed the typical excitement and pride of graduation day, waving to those cheering them on.

Organizers also made decorations at the school’s athletic field, including a poster which included the names of all the Woodbridge graduates. Members of the Irvine Police Department were notified about the drive-by and helped with traffic flow and safety as cars proceeded slowly on the route from stop to stop.

The graduates, who wore their caps and gowns, posed for pictures at the school after the cars finished the route.

A Channel 7 Eyewitness news team was on hand to cover the event and organizers posted video and more pictures on Facebook.

WE WELCOME YOUR GRADUATION PICTURES: Please send to timburt@ocsportszone.com so we can share