Cuomo allows drive-thru or drive-in graduations, rules out in-person ceremonies for now

High school seniors have been holding out hope that that they might be able to walk across the stage to get their diploma this summer, but after comments made by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday, that might not come to fruition.

The pomp and circumstance of graduation is something Ankit Singh has been dreaming about for years. The Valley Stream High School senior is the salutatorian of his class and wants his parents, who immigrated from the U.S. from India 30 years ago, to see him receive his diploma

"I was set to make a speech and it was something I was looking forward to from my junior year, and the fact the buildup and all the expectations I had for graduation just went to, basically went to nothing because of the circumstances that arose, I just feel bad personally for all the kids and myself," says Singh.

COVID-19 has sidelined in-person graduations, substituted by virtual ceremonies instead.

On Thursday, Cuomo tried to ease the pain by giving schools the ability to hold either drive-in or drive-thru events, but ruled out large, in-person ceremonies for now.

"The issue is a public health issue and you don't want people sick and dead," says Cuomo. "That's the issue right? It's about death, it's about balancing the risk with the reward."

The decision comes days after state Sen. Todd Kaminsky sent Cuomo a letter urging him to allow outdoor graduations in July. He says he's not giving up.

"It's been a nightmare senior year for them. They deserve a proper graduation ceremony with their family, with their diploma, with as many of their classmates as we can have in a safe and healthy manner," says Kaminsky.

Cuomo said his administration will keep evaluating the situation to determine if live graduations can happen.