Airline Throws Graduation Party for Students on Flight Home after College Closed from COVID-19

WestJet recently went viral for throwing an impromptu graduation party for some senior students on their flight home after their college closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The moment brought smiles on many people’s faces, with lots of netizens saying that it was good for the airline to do this for the students. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

School Closed from COVID-19

Just like many schools across the world, Briercrest College and Seminary in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada, announced that it would temporary close to protect its staff and students from COVID-19. With classes suspended until further notice, major activities such as graduation rites have been canceled as well.

The women’s volleyball team of the school competed in the CCAA National Championships in Quebec City last week. Four of its members are seniors who were supposed to graduate but are now unable to do that as the school closed.

Needless to say, the flight home was rather sad for the team. But when the flight attendants on their flight home learned about their plight, an impromptu graduation and mini party was held for the seniors, in coordination with Briercrest’s chaplain, Joelle Epp.

Fun Graduation on the Airplane

“I was so shocked! I didn’t think [it] would actually happen. Everyone on the plane was clapping and loving it, it seemed like,” shared Rebecca Garner, one of the seniors who ‘graduated’ on the airplane.

Rebecca Garner, Ashley Erickson, Kirsty Kindrachuk, and Elicia Weibe didn’t get their real graduation from school as the semester abruptly ended but they had a unique graduation on the plane! Now, that’s fantastic, right?

“So, my daughter, basically all she did was [say], ‘Hey Mom, I graduated, I don’t have to finish my school. I got a certificate.’ I was just happy because everybody was panicking over the coronavirus, and this is just finally something nice that somebody did,” said Rebecca’s mom, Nancy Garner.

Here’s a video of their ‘graduation’:

What’s a Senior?

A ‘senior’ means an older person. In school, seniors are the ones who are in the highest level. The term ‘senior’ is also used for persons who have higher ranks in an authoritative position, regardless of age.