Change of Venue

Several school districts are holding open-air commencements at Texas Motor Speedway this year.

Families have the option of watching a live stream or staying in their car and parking in the infield. From there they can watch the ceremony on “Big Hoss TV,” the largest HD LED video board in the world. The graduates are actually seated, spaced-out, on the track itself opposite the giant screen. So added to the other strange qualities of this event, the graduates are actually seated behind the spectators. That thought stuck for some reason.

It was Ponder High School’s turn the day that I happened to be in the office. I bet most of these kids haven’t seen each other for months.

I’m thinking of all the times that I was hugged, or had my hand gripped firmly, or got squeezed into a group photo, at all the graduations that I’ve attended. This is strange but it sure beats zoom.