Socially-distanced Vernon grads photoshopped to create traditional group picture

With a little help from Photoshop, Vernon Secondary School graduates got to partake in the age-old tradition of having their picture taken on the steps on the courthouse.

Social distancing stipulations necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic meant all 176 grads wouldn't be able to stand side by side in their caps and gowns on the courthouse steps. However, with a little from Photoshop, and plenty of volunteer hours, the grads now appear to all be standing on the courthouse steps and get to be part of a tradition that dates back over 50 years.

According to a Vernon Secondary School media release, groups of 16 students stood on the courthouse steps and had their photo taken by former Vernon Secondary School teacher Wayne Emde who has been taking the yearly photo for every graduating class since 1979.

Traffic was temporarily stopped on the street so the students could be photographed, and nine separate groups stood on the steps and had their photo taken.

The photos were then photoshopped together by Mary-Anne Morgan to give the illusion all the grads were standing together at the same time. The computer wizardry took Morgan 25 hours to complete.

The image will now be part of the collection of graduation photos held by the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives.

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