Area high school modify, reschedule graduations

Friday, May 8, 2020

SIKESTON — With the easing of restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, area high schools have rescheduled or modified their graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020.

Bell City R-2, Dexter and Charleston R-1 school districts hosted the area’s first high school graduations.

Bell City High School held its ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school gym.

Due to the restrictions and regulations surrounding COVID-19, the graduation was closed to the general public with limited guests of the 12 graduates, according to the district’s official Facebook page. The district also created a seating chart based on recommendations from the Stoddard County Health Department. Households were seated using appropriate social distancing guidelines which included being 6 feet apart. The graduation ceremony was also live streamed on the district’s Facebook page.

On Thursday, Charleston High School video recorded its graduates in their cap and gown walking across the auditorium stage and receiving their diploma sleeves. Graduates were allowed to each have two guests.

Then at 6 p.m. Friday, Charleston High School hosted a graduate parade at the school, which was open to all members of the public (vehicles only).

“This is a great way for the public to honor and celebrate our senior class of 2020 since they are not able to hold a traditional ceremony,” the district said in an announcement.

Senior graduates were lined up in front of the building, spaced out according to CDC guidelines, and public vehicles creatively decorated could enter the main entrance honking and drive through the marked path toward the auditorium exit. Students received their diplomas at the end of the parade.

Following the parade, the graduation video premiered on the district’s Facebook page. The video follows a similar format to the traditional commencement ceremony, and will include valedictorian and salutatorian speeches as well as video of each student receiving their diploma sleeves.

Dexter High School planned to have its graduation via automobiles at 6 p.m. Friday with alternate dates of Saturday and Sunday in the event of inclement weather. After following a specific route, each graduate’s vehicle stopped in front of the Charles Bland Stadium entrance. Then, each graduate was allowed to exit the vehicle to walk across the stage and receive their diploma cover. Graduates were allowed to do a hat toss at the end of the ceremony.

Scott County Central Superintendent Brian Hukel Scott County Central said the district set its high school graduation for 1 p.m. May 16 in the Ronnie Cookson Gymnasium with limited seating and socially distancing being observed throughout the ceremony.

Each of the school’s 20 graduates received a total of eight tickets per family. 

“Each family will be escorted in individually and seated at a designated table. Each table will be spaced six feet or more apart, and each group will remain together throughout the ceremony. We will also alter the distribution of diplomas and awards to ensure distancing as well,” Hukel said.

Richland High School in Essex will proceed with graduation at 7:30 p.m. May 15 with a vehicle parade of graduates.

“We have worked closely with county officials to plan this ceremony, and it is imperative that all graduates and their families follow the instructions,” High School Principal Cindy Rhodes said in a letter on Wednesday.

Following the parade, the graduate vehicles will return to school where only the yearbook staff will take a picture of each graduate with their diploma and mail them to the families. The ceremony will be transmitted through radio broadcast (106.7 FM) and will be shown on two big screens, as well, to enhance viewing from vehicles.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be postponed with May 16 and May 17 as alternate dates.

East Prairie High School seniors learned of their graduation plans on Wednesday.

“After suffering the disappointment of a shortened senior year, loss of traditions and memories, our staff members have been determined to find a path to the graduation ceremony for our seniors,” R-2 Superintendent Lesli Jones announced on Wednesday. “The class of 2020 has proven to be resilient, patient, thoughtful and willing to accept the challenge that this national pandemic has brought to their senior year. As Eagles typically do, these students have chosen to rise above the circumstance, and we want to honor them with a memorable graduation ceremony.”

The graduation ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. May 21 on the football field. Following a senior class vehicle trade through town, each graduate will be dropped off at north end gate of the football field.

The senior class will walk down the track and proceed to their seats in front of the stage. EPHS Staff members will assist and ensure social distancing with the seniors.

If weather does not permit on May 21, the alternate date is May 22 with the same time and schedule.

The graduation ceremony will also be livestreamed and a large video screen will be set up to allow better visibility for all guests.

Sikeston High School Head Principal Doyle Noe announced last month graduation will be June 11.

“The week of May 22, we will re-evaluate the climate and mandates set forth by local, state, and federal agencies and determine what the ceremony will look like on June 11,” Noe said. “If conditions have improved, we will conduct a traditional ceremony for our students. If conditions do not allow for that to occur, we will move forward with a modified ceremony which will allow our students an opportunity to be recognized for their achievement on June 11.” 

In a message posted from Barry Branscum, Portageville High School principal, prom is planned for June 5 with time and location to be announced at a later date.

“Graduation is one of the most asked questions we receive daily” Branscum said. “As you all know planning is difficult with constantly changing guidelines from federal, state and local agencies. Our concern, like everyone else, is the safety and well-being of all our students, parents, staff and community.”

In anticipation of the guidelines being eased, graduation is now scheduled for June 11.

“Hopefully, this gives enough time for restrictions to be hanged for us to have a traditional graduation,” Branscum said in his announcement, adding as the date approaches the school district will provide additional details.

“We sincerely want to celebrate the class of 2020 in the best and safest way possible in these uncertain times,” he concluded.

The New Madrid County R-1 School District announced Monday, it is planning a traditional graduation ceremony for June 16 with an alternate date of July 14. According to school officials, only if the situation dictates will attendance be limited.

Graduation for Thomas W. Kelly High School in Benton was rescheduled for 7 p.m. June 26 in the high school gym. If June 26 is postponed, graduation will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 in the high school gym.

Risco High School has tentatively set 7 p.m. June 20 at the Westwood Center in Poplar Bluff for its prom. School officials added there may be some restrictions and no grand march is planned.

As of Friday, no dates have been set yet for graduations for Oran High School and Risco High School’s classes of 2020.

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