Tangier Combined School, the kindergarten through twelfth grade school on the Island, made history last week with the class of 2020's graduation ceremony. For the first time, only one student graduated.

In the fifth grade, islander Matthew Parks became the sole student in his class after his only other classmate's family moved off the Island. Matthew finished the remainder of his education without any immediate classmates. Matthew's grades were high enough to get him into college and award him the title of valedictorian in a normal year, but with no classmates he was given the title by default. Matthew plans to pursue a career on the water in tug boating like many Tangier men have in the past. For now, he is working as a deckhand on his fathers workboat 'Mary Ellen'.

Due to the restrictions on large gatherings with COVID-19 all of the attendees with the exception of immediate family stayed in golf carts during the ceremony that was held on the island's runway.

Matthew Parks in his cap and gown before the June 5th Tangier Combined School Graduation.

Vehicles line up for the ‘drive in’ graduation ceremony on the airport runway.

Matthew Parks and Tangier Combined School Principal Dr. Nina Pruitt.

Matthew Parks, a member of the Tangier Fire Company, rides through the island’s narrow streets on top of the fire truck.

Tangier Combined School’s principal Dr. Nina Pruitt and her colleagues lead the golf cart parade.