NMSU, Las Cruces high grads get drive-thru ‘pomp and circumstance’ performance

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Hundreds of New Mexico State University students crossed the virtual stage during the 2020 spring commencement ceremony on Saturday.

Since the ceremony was virtual, many families celebrated at home without the usual graduation festivities, like an actual walk across the stage or the traditional 'pomp and circumstance' orchestra performance.

"It's sad that our graduates, our 2020 graduates, didn't have an opportunity to process in from of their parents and their friends," said Lonnie Klein, conductor of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra.

Klein and the owner of Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant, Vincent Vaccaro, put together a drive-thru procession for the new graduates.

"I thought this would be a fitting way to recognize not just the university graduations, but all the area high school graduates," said Klein.

Set up behind Lorenzo's, Klein would wait for a car to roll by and conduct.

There was also an opportunity for grads to drop off a donation to a local food bank.