The Boothbay Region High School Class of 2020 began its first day of marching practice for the June 5 graduation ceremony on Monday morning, June 1.

Dean of Students Allan Crocker explained the new format, which has the graduates, wearing face masks, marching into Porter Memorial Gymnasium behind class marshal Colby Babcock and stopping at their socially distanced chairs on the gymnasium floor. Music teacher Mary Miller provided the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance,” the traditional marching song for graduations, and other school personnel were on hand to help.

Practices will continue Tuesday-Thursday and graduation will be on Friday at 2 p.m., with only the graduates and essential personnel allowed. The graduating class of 30 will then be paraded around town for a celebration at 4 p.m.