ROYAL CITY — The ceremony was different, but the emotions were still high as the 2020 graduating class crossed the stage at David Nielsen Memorial Field outside Royal High School on Friday evening.

Royal High School seniors met their families in the parking lot, with cars and trucks decked out with balloons, signs, streamers and much more for a parade, which kicked proceedings off at 7 p.m.. Students and family made a short loop around, with loved ones and friends lining sections of the road to cheer on the graduating class.

After returning, graduates made their way across the stage, their names were announced and they received their diploma cover. Fireworks closed out the evening as the Class of 2020 class capped off a senior year unlike any other.

RHS graduate Jorge Ortiz said the seniors weren’t sure what graduation would look like, or if it would end up being held virtually, if at all. Ortiz said Friday evening ended up feeling like more than a graduation.

“This year, we’ve been going through a lot,” Ortiz said. “It’s just been really hard these times. But, it totally feels like graduation because it’s such a unique one.”

Ortiz said the feeling was amazing being able to graduate with friends he’s been with since kindergarten. After 12 years of work, Ortiz said he finally got to celebrate what he has been working toward.

“It’s been really rough through all my high school years, but I had to push hard for this day, to get this diploma,” Ortiz said.

Royal School District Superintendent Roger Trail said he was a little sad as he made his way to graduation Friday evening, knowing they weren’t able to hold a traditional ceremony. As he walked up the bleachers and looked out at the decorated cars in the parking lot, Trail said that feeling shifted.

“It was almost kind of uplifting,” Trail said. “They really went all out decorating their cars and getting really into it. Really, there was probably more planning that went into this graduation than there has been for years because the other way is just kind of old hat.”

Trail said he thinks they did the kids proud, doing the best they could to celebrate their time in school as they prepare for the next step in their journey.

“They’ll also be able to say we were the only class that were able to do graduation differently,” Trail said. “If they put a positive spin on it, I think they’ll be fine.”

When graduating senior Austin Huss heard they were asked to decorate their vehicles for the parade, he said he had a pretty good idea of what to bring along. Huss stood proudly beside his demolition derby car, strapped to its trailer, as he made his way down the street Friday evening in Royal City.

“It’s my personality,” Huss said. “Everyone knows me in it, I drive this all the time.”

Huss said it was nice seeing friends and classmates gathered together again on Friday night after being separated for so long. Huss said he didn’t care for school that much, but, after being away from everyone for a few months, kind of missed the chance to see everyone.

“I like to see all my old friends again that I grew up with since kindergarten,” Huss said. “It’s pretty emotional, but it’s a lot of fun.”

Given the short time to prepare and everything else going on with the pandemic, Huss said he feels like they did the best they could to help celebrate the 2020 class.

Royal High School Principal Rick Follett said it just felt good to see smiles on his students’ faces again, what he said was most important. Follett said students were happy they got the chance to walk across the stage.

He said he wouldn’t be surprised if the next few classes want a parade for graduation too.

For more photos of the Ephrata High School graduation, visit the photo gallery here.