Despite being unable to hold typical commencement ceremonies, Triad and North Union will both hold similar, in-person diploma presentations.
Triad Superintendent Vickie Hoffman the district is doing its best to build end-of-the-year events around what seniors want, while still observing guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and Gov. Mike DeWine.
To do so, she said the district will present diplomas to individual seniors in a small group setting.
Each senior will schedule a 15-minute time slot in which they will be allowed to bring six guests. Hoffman said she, High School Principal Kyle Huffman and a Board of Education member will present the student with their diploma as they walk across the stage.
“It’ll just be them bringing their parents and family… it’s not a ton of people but at least someone can be there,” Hoffman said.
Seniors and their guests will enter through the side door of the auditorium and exit through the main front doors to ensure families do not cross each other’s paths.
The stage area will be cleaned in between each student, Hoffman added.
Diploma presentations will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29. Although there are only 78 graduates, Hoffman said the district wanted to ensure “every person can find a time” their desired guests could attend.
The diploma presentations will also be recorded and compiled into a video.
Hoffman said she understands the disappointment that comes with being unable to hold the planned commencement ceremony.
“I hate this for them,” she said.
Students are experiencing a variety of emotions in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Hoffman said, as “some kids are very hurt and frustrated, some kids are excited just to have something and some kids are just done.”
Although the circumstances are beyond their control, Hoffman said the district is working to ensure students are actively involved in the decision-making process.
She said Huffman sent a survey to the senior class allowing them to decide between a drive-through graduation ceremony or an individual diploma pick-up.
Most students preferred the individual pick-up, Hoffman said, but “the seniors really want us to hold on to a face-to-face (ceremony).”
“We’re still holding out hope that there’s some way we can have an in-person ceremony later on,” she said.
Hoffman said the district is currently planning to hold an outdoor ceremony at 6 p.m. July 31, dependent on social distancing guidelines at that time.
If larger gatherings are permitted, she said a stage will be set up on the front drive of the high school. Students’ immediate family members would be invited to use their personal lawn chairs to sit in front of the stage during the ceremony.
Since students will already have diplomas by then, Hoffman said seniors would receive a “surviving coronavirus” certificate or something similar.
If state guidelines do not permit a ceremony by the end of July, Hoffman said the district will instead post a virtual commencement video. It will include staff and student speeches, recognition of the valedictorian and salutatorian, the most improved senior and a compilation of the diploma presentation.
For all students, like those entering the military or starting another career before the July ceremony, Hoffman said the district is holding an in-car parade at 2 p.m. May 31.
She said each senior will be asked to ride in an individual car driven by a parent or family member. That way, students can wave and enjoy the ride.
Hoffman said high school staff members will line the drive to send the caravan to Woodstock, down Route 559 to North Lewisburg, down 245 to Mingo-North Lewisburg Road to Mingo, up Route 245 through Middletown. The cars will proceed down Middletown Road to Black Road to Inskeep Road through Cable and disperse from there.
Students are asked to decorate their cars and community members are invited to line the parade route at a safe distance from one another and hold up signs or cheer, Hoffman said.
Regardless of the constraints from COVID-19, Hoffman said Triad is doing what it can to “honor those big, monumental times.”
“Although it’s hard for kids, it’s hard for adults too… we’re feeling the loss also,” she said.
North Union is also working to balance safety precautions with celebrating its graduates.
“We have advocated for the Class of 2020 and their families while respecting the seriousness of the pandemic,” High School Principal Janel Chapman wrote in a letter to families.
Each North Union senior will schedule a 10-minute window May 19 or 20 to be filmed receiving his or her diploma on the NUHS stage.
Graduates may bring two people with them to filming. Only the student and their designated guests will be permitted on campus and in the building and groups will not be permitted to gather in the parking lot.
The diploma presentations will be livestreamed on North Union’s Facebook page so those who are unable to attend will be able to watch from home.
Surfaces will be disinfected between graduates and guests. NUHS staff will ensure that all participants engage in social distancing and wear masks.
A school photographer will also be present, but students will not be required to wear masks while being photographed. Parents will be given online access to download and print pictures.
Seniors and their families will receive detailed information and a sign-up form to schedule a time slot on Friday.
Chapman said she understands how difficult the effects of COVID-19 have been for students but staff is working to find “the best possible alternative” to canceled events.
“The senior class has made great sacrifices to protect the vulnerable among us during this pandemic,” Chapman wrote. “Those sacrifices are felt deeply by students, parents, family members, staff and the community.”