It took a while, but Peninsula High seniors got their yearbooks after all

Winding up a three-day stint at the bus roundabout at Peninsula High School the last Thursday of July, Peninsula School District Dean of Students Kim Marinelli, PSD Bookkeeper Candice Bernadelli, and PHS teacher and yearbook advisor Kayla Jinneman handed out PHS yearbooks to patiently participating drive-by parents and students.

”Due to Covid-19, yearbook distribution was delayed,” reported Marinelli. “However,” she said, “once the yearbooks did arrive at PHS this July, PHS wanted to ensure students received them as soon as possible. Therefore, yearbooks, along with diploma covers and graduation programs for seniors, were passed out on July 28th, 29th; and 30th.”

I couldn’t make the earlier sessions but did join the happy threesome at Peninsula High July 30th. The weather and temperature couldn’t have been better, warm, not hot, not chilly. A parade of vehicles with happy parents and PHS students seemed unending as kids collected their much desired 2020 year books. Sadly, getting them autographed by faculty members and schoolmate chums will pose a huge COVID 19 problem.

Nonetheless, our innovative PSD staff and students again made sure that all was not lost. Previous acts of ingenuity included drive-by collections of diplomas and other treasures at the PHS campus, and, at the Tacoma Narrows Airport, drive by graduation ceremonies for both Peninsula and Gig Harbor High Schools.

At each, the happy faces of the recipients made the historically one-of-a-kind events something to remember for a lifetime

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 12:00 AM.