South Lake Tahoe senior graduation ceremonies moved to Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a graduation season marked by COVID-19 social distancing regulations, high school students across the globe knew the ceremonies marking the end of K-12 school careers would be different than in years past. With daily school work moved online, graduations were moved to a virtual format.

At both South Tahoe High and Mt. Tallac High schools, graduation has been made special by social media acknowledgments, yard signs, and special bags full of gifts.

Now there is going to be one more special way they will be celebrating graduation - a ceremony at Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort on June 19.

At Tuesday's Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees meeting the announcement was made by South Tahoe High School Principal Carline Sinkler.

"This is an astounding community collaboration to ensure our extraordinary graduates have an extraordinary graduation," said Sinkler.

She said, imagine a car with the graduate and family inside, the car is decorated and it begins to drive up US50 via Echo Summit, making a left turn onto Sierra-at-Tahoe Road and making the drive up the hill. The cars will then be directed by staff to where the graduate will exit the vehicle, and walk down the plaza as their family drives to the top of the Easy Rider Lift.

The student will board the ski lift, one at a time for a ride up the hill. At the top, they will get off the lift and walk to a special overlook of Pyramid Peak with local dignitaries. Photographers will be there to capture the special moment. The family will be watching from their car and then pick up their graduate.

"That is special," said LTUSD student board representative Sarah Hardin, a senior at STHS.

"This is a memorable and symbolic experience," said Sinkler.

Both Sinkler and Board President Larry Reilly thanked John Rice, general manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe for his hard work on making this a reality. There has been construction and dirt moved to make it work.

El Dorado County health officer Dr. Nancy Williams approved the plan and said it was a great plan.

Dr. James Tarwater and Shannon Chandler from the LTUSD office were thanked for their collaboration for the "true Tahoe graduation."

Tallac High School will hold their ceremony starting at 3:00 p.m. and South Tahoe High will start at 5:00 p.m. The families will be staggered with predetermined time slots.