Ysleta ISD Announces Hybrid Virtual Graduations for Class of 2020

The Ysleta Independent School District is the first El Paso-area school district to announce 2020 graduation ceremony plans since the state issued its COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

In a video message posted Monday, May 11, Superintendent Xavier De La Torre announced plans for hybrid virtual commencement ceremonies that will take place mid-June.

The hybrid virtual ceremonies will consist of video of every senior walking across the stage in a cap and gown, pre-recorded speeches by district officials, valedictorians and salutatorians, and student performances, per a district press release. They will air Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 on the district’s YouTube channel. An air-time will be announced at a later date.

Dr. De La Torre also left the door open for outdoor high-school stadium graduations at a later date.

“We planned both virtual and in-person graduations to honor the Class of 2020 because of the challenges and struggles they’ve been forced to overcome in the last few weeks of their senior year,” Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre said. “This way, our seniors can come home one last time to their high schools, where we can all congratulate them before bidding them farewell.”

Right now, they’ve penciled in July 23-31 for the outdoor graduations, with each ceremony taking place at 8 p.m.