BRADENTON, Fla. — While high school seniors won’t be walking across the graduation stage this weekend, they’re not short on school spirit.

In Manatee County, graduations were originally scheduled to take place over the next few days. The ceremonies have now been pushed to mid-summer.

On Thursday at Manatee High School, teachers and administrators held an upbeat drive-by celebration for seniors picking up their cap and gowns.

There were a few rules: Students couldn’t leave their cars and teachers had to remain socially distant. But for many seniors, the upbeat music and kind words from their teachers were just what they needed.

“It’s nice to say goodbye finally because that was taken from us,” said senior Jada Russell.

For Jada, knowing she would never attend her senior prom was the hardest part of the last few months. For her best friend, Shelby Eikel, hearing that the makeup graduation ceremony would not be held at Hawkins Stadium was heartbreaking.

She contacted the superintendent, started a petition, and rallied her class behind her to get the graduation venue changed.  Last week, she found out her hard work had paid off, and the ceremony would be changed from the convention center and back to the field by Manatee High School.

“On July 28th, to be able to see all of them and hopefully hug them is going to be absolutely amazing,” Shelby said.  

To honor seniors, the lights at all high school stadiums in Manatee County will be flipped on at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 in military time) on May 14, and remain on for 20 minutes. Residents are asked to turn their outdoor lights on at the same time to honor seniors.