WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — High school seniors in Worcester are gearing up to have a graduation ceremony unlike any other.
The city announced in a video stream on Friday that it's seven high schools will each have their graduation at Polar Park in June.
"To all the high school seniors, to all the parents, it's going to be a great day, it's going to be a great event," Worcester Mayor Joe Petty said.
The city typically holds the ceremonies at the city's DCU Center on Foster Street.
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Maureen Binienda added that officials wanted to plan the unique celebration because of the challenges students have had to face during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We know it's been a tough year for you -- a lot of the senior activities we haven't been able to run yet for you, and we've been thinking about you all year," Binienda said. "Your principals and staff have been thinking about you and we wanted to do something special."
City Manager Ed Augustus said Worcester built Polar Park in collaboration with the Worcester Red Sox as a way to create a "community, civic space."
"It's not only going to be a great ball park," Augustus said. "[And high school seniors] are going to be the first ones to christen that space as a community space."
Officials say the park is intended for "year-round" events and services outside of the regular local baseball season.
The "WooSox" are currently set to make their Polar Park debut on opening day in May.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: WBZ NewsRadio/Kim Tunnicliffe)