The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Seniors to walk for video graduation
Lorain High School will hold a “blended approach” virtual commencement available for community viewing June 9.
The Lorain High graduation ceremony will be filmed at the Lorain High School auditorium.
The plan was created by a committee of high school administrators and staff, said interim CEO Greg Ring.
“The plan that we have shared with our community, we feel like it’s the best we can do under the circumstances and also keep people safe, that’s priority No. 1,” Ring said.
The week of May 26, each potential graduate will have a scheduled time for a walk across the stage.
Students will receive their times by email and may bring up to four guests to watch.
The student walks will be recorded and a video will be compiled by Lorain City Schools’ TV20 broadcasting program.
That ceremony will be available to view starting June 9.
The graduating class has about 450 students, so the process will take several days.
But the plans allow the district to control the number and spacing of people inside the school at one time, Ring said.
“But in the end, we want to do something that is memorable for our graduating seniors and their families,” he said. Graduates will not receive their diplomas during the commencement. Instead, they will receive certificates and the actual diplomas will be mailed to addresses the students give when they arrive for their graduation walks. Ring said he anticipates the final video will include remarks from the administration and faculty to celebrate the seniors. Seniors may pick up their caps and gowns May 18 in front of Lorain High.
“But in the end, we want to do something that is memorable for our graduating seniors and their families.”
— Interim CEO Greg Ring
Adopt a senior
Lorain City Schools has invited parents of seniors to use social media to honor their students.
The Lorain High School Class of 2020 Adopt a Senior Page already has 1,474 members on Facebook.
“This page was created to allow staff and community members to ‘adopt’ our seniors and shower them with small tokens, treats and gifts to let them know we are thinking of them during this trying and uncertain time,” a school district announcement said.
Any special gifts to the senior class will be made with appropriate social distancing, according to plans.