Military deployments, work commitments, or sometimes simple geography can keep family members from attending a loved one’s high school graduation. VB Schools Troop Tube is there to help bridge the gap so that family and friends don’t have to miss a minute of that special day. From June 17 to 20, graduation ceremonies for each of the 11 Virginia Beach high schools will be streamed live on the school division’s Web site, vbschools.com.
   
“This initiative began as a means to help families here at home connect with military servicemen and women deployed around the globe,” said school Superintendent Dr. Jim Merrill. “Their commitment to our country and the demands of their jobs often mean that military men and women are not with their families for holidays and important events. We are fortunate that we have the technology to bring them closer together for even one day,” Merrill added.

Last year, more than 4,287 online visitors from 31 states, 14 countries and two Navy ships used VB Schools Troop Tube to become virtual guests at graduation. The project is made possible through a partnership with VBTV which provides video services and Cox Communications which has generously donated the Internet lines needed to stream the graduations live.

“Cox Communications is proud to help provide members of our community with a front row seat to the Virginia Beach Schools’ graduation ceremonies through the use of our services and technology,” said Gary McCollum, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cox Hampton Roads. “It is our pleasure to partner with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and help in bridging the geographic gaps between families and their loved ones.”

Family and friends who are unable to attend graduation ceremonies also have the opportunity to send electronic congratulatory messages to members of the Class of 2009. Messages, submitted via the VB Schools Troop Tube Web page, should be no more than 75 words and appropriate for publication. Greetings will be posted on vbschools.com beginning June 15. In addition to the message, the sender must provide his/her contact information along with the graduate’s full name and school.

Internet users can access the live streaming video by visiting vbschools.com and selecting the VB School’s Troop Tube link on the home page.  Each graduation ceremony is approximately 90 minutes in length. Replays will be available through June 30.  A detailed schedule of graduation events can be found at vbschools.com.

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