"And now... Pramudita Darurazqi Frakarsa.."
The MC of that day called Bo, my son, to the stage to receive his Diploma and his report cards as well as the year book. My hubby and I, together with little brother and Obi, Bo's little sister, were witnessing this happy moment from our car, as we drove along the right in front of the stage. Yes, we were in the middle of the process of Drive-in Graduation of SMP Islam Tugasku, Jakarta.
Amidst the pandemic and the fact that we have to remain vigilant , many of us are trying to continue our live as close to normal. Of course with strict health protocol in place and revived good old habits such as washing our hands properly and keeping ourselves healthy and fit.
So the same goes to my son's graduation.
After officially and virtually graduated from his Junior High School in May, Bo's teachers at SMP Islam Tugasku Jakarta have considered to make an unforgettable graduation ceremony which is in line with the new normal and the obliged health protocol. Together with the Committee of Parents (including me), the teachers adopted drive - in drive - through graduation ceremony done in other countries such as the US and prepared for our very own.
We came early in the morning, before 8 AM to Jakarta Equestrian Center in Pulomas. The committee was ready, directing cars to their designated parking spots, with enough space in between. The surrounding areas had been decorated as well, with welcoming banners and photos of the students. The stage was ready, with some photo spots which certainly are Instagramable. We decorated our car with various cute stuff such as banners, balloons, ribbons, print outs and more. We wanted to make the car looked merry and fun!
Every student had a specially customized banner to be put on the car as well. We chose gold, silver and black as the theme. It looked nice and the car was really pimped up LOL.
Different from the traditional graduation process, we didn't stay in a room and gather with all teachers, students, and parents. We sit in our car, watch the complete procession (and some entertainment, too) from Zoom virtual meeting app. I brought my laptop and we watched on lappy as well as our cell phones on the spot.
We had similar program such as speeches from the Principle, the Head of the School Foundation, as well as the representatives of the parents and the students. We watched videos specially made by the students as well as their juniors, bidding goodbye and wishing the 9th grade students best of luck for their senior high.
We enjoyed "Before You Go" song beautifully performed by 3 girls from Bo's class. Pak Haris, Bo's teacher, also led the prayer for all of us. We even had the teachers singing and dancing for this event! Parents were presenting special tokens of appreciation for all the teachers at school as well. It was a mixed feelings indeed. Sad, happy, excited, funny and all that.
Whenever we agreed or cheered on something, we honked and it was hilarious!
Btw, Bo is the 15th batch in that school and they call it AECROVINLAZEX.
Don't ask me what it means LOL
Then each and every kids were called to come to the stage. We drove our our kids to the stage to receive his or here Diploma. They came out of the car, cheered by their teachers, went on the stage, received their Diploma, then posed for a while on the stage. We then waited for our turn to take pictures with the family on a designated area.
It was a very unique ceremony indeed.And Bo was even covered by the local TV and aired.
Maybe because of the distinct Tapis Lampung mask he was wearing.
If you want to see more of the process, please watch the video on my YouTube channel about this Drive - In Graduation of SMP Islam Tugasku, Jakarta
After all the procession were done, the kids took pictures together. Still with the mask on and trying to maintain the physical distance. Parents joined them and we thanked the teachers again for all their great hard work and supports for the students. We can never thank them enough!
All in all, it was a wonderful event and surely unforgettable!
Congratulations once again, Bo!
And all the 9th grade students of SMP Islam Tugasku, Jakarta
