They were six feet apart but all together, and that is what the Gloucester High School Class of 2021 wanted. About 390 GHS graduates received their diplomas Saturday afternoon during a two-hour commencement in the school stadium.

School officials had initially proposed three different commencement ceremonies over the course of the day and limited guests due to COVID-19 restrictions. They next were able to consider two ceremonies, with half of the class in each one.

A survey of seniors showed that graduating together and the maximum number of guests were important concerns for their commencement. When COVID restrictions were eased near the end of May, GHS was able plan for one ceremony with each graduate receiving 10 guest tickets.

KIM ROBINS / GAZETTE-JOURNALGloucester High School graduate Avery Nelson, top photo, received her diploma Saturday from her mother, Gloucester School Board Vice-Chairman Elisa Nelson, during commencement ceremonies at GHS. Graduate Adam Hogge, botto...