HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- COVID-19 isn’t putting a damper on graduation events.

What You Need To Know

Twenty five Lennard High School seniors took part in a drive-through celebration for migrant students Thursday evening.

“I’m the first in my household to graduate from high school,” said Alejandra Chavez.

“It feels good. Like I want to cry but I don’t want to mess up my makeup!” said Alexandra Torres.

This year, it’s a bit unconventional, of course.

“We’re not certain if we’re going to have the actual graduation for Lennard,” said Lennard High School migrant advocate Olga Perez.

Many of the students are the first in their families to graduate high school, so still getting to celebrate somehow was extra meaningful.

“It’s what we had to do for these times, but it turned out really special,” said migrant advocate Philip Rivera.

Yes, caps and gowns are still required during a drive-through celebration.

So are pictures and words of encouragement.

“The moment that I told my parents that I’m going to graduate because I had all my requirements, they cried,” Chavez said.

Plus, the surprise of a lifetime at the end of the drive through ceremony – every student received a free laptop and hotspot!

An anonymous donor whose vacation was canceled due to COVID-19 used the money to buy the laptops for the grads.

Chavez can’t wait to use hers as she embarks on her new journey to become a physical therapist.

“Many people told [my parents], ‘Oh, your daughter’s gonna get pregnant. Oh, your daughter’s not going to be able to do something because you came from a place where you didn’t receive anything.’ I proved everybody wrong by the support of my parents and my teachers,” she said.

There’s a lot we don’t know during these times, but there’s one thing these students do know - they’re driving off to a brighter future. ​