For high school seniors, it’s an exciting time in their lives. They are at the threshold of going from a structured classroom setting, where they’ve been for the past 13 years, to entering the “real world.” They will go off to college, trade school, the military, a career, and live out their dreams.
The last nine weeks of school is filled with milestones and rites of passage – award banquets, prom, graduation parties, and finally commencement. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted long-planned senior events.
However, school leaders at Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District, Winona Christian School, Carroll Academy and J.Z. George are working on alternative ways for their seniors to still celebrate their big day – Graduation.
WINONA: Per a release from Dr. Teresa Jackson, superintendent of the Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District, Winona Secondary School Interim Principal Donna Bishop announces graduation ceremony details for the Class of 2020.
“We are excited to share that while social distancing expectations will be a part of our graduation ceremony, the Class of 2020 will all be able to graduate together as a class and will be able to do so in front of families and friends,” the release states.
Winona Secondary’s graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, May 23, 2020, at the Montgomery County Coliseum at 11 a.m. It will be an outdoor “drive-in” event for graduates and guests. Listed are general instructions for the ceremony so families can begin to plan.
“The ceremony has been divided into 3 phases: Pre-Graduation Car Lineup, Graduation Ceremony, and Post-Graduation Gown Drop Off/Diplomas. More specific information regarding these phases of graduation will be shared with graduates and families in the weeks ahead,” the release states.
Phase 1: Pre-Graduation Car Lineup at Winona Secondary School: A convoy of graduates and immediate family members as well as a second convoy of additional family members will be formed at Winona Secondary School. Each graduate will receive two “Convoy and Admission” passes for the ceremony. These passes allow for two standard-sized vehicles (one for the graduate/immediate family and one for additional family members) access to the graduation ceremony. These passes will be made available during “Cap and Gown Pick up” at Winona Secondary School. There will be no entry into the ceremony without a “Convoy and Admission” pass and adherence to the “Pre-Graduation Car Lineup” expectations.
Phase 2: Graduation Ceremony: The ceremony will be broadcast live on local FM radio station WONA 95.1 and will be live-streamed on the Winona Secondary School Facebook page. Only the graduates will be able to leave their vehicles during the ceremony and will do so upon the direction of the graduation staff. NO ONE ELSE IS TO EXIT THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER THE CEREMONY.
Phase 3: Post-Graduation Gown Drop Off/Diplomas: Once the ceremony has concluded the “convoy” of graduates will exit the coliseum grounds in an orderly manner. Students while still in their vehicles will drop off gowns in containers. As they turn in their gowns, diplomas will be issued to the graduate.
“Law enforcement will assist with our exit from the grounds of the coliseum. Special thanks to the Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District Police Department, City of Winona Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department as they help to create a safe and orderly environment for this event,” the release states. “Again, more details regarding graduation will be released soon. We want to make this graduation the absolute best even in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic and want to ensure it is special for each graduate. These plans are subject to change as safety guidelines and directives dictate. Thank you to our community and families for your continued support of WMCSD and the outstanding young people who make up the Class of 2020.”
WINONA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: Winona Christian School released their plans for their upcoming graduation. “We wish to hold a more traditional graduation ceremony in which all of our students and families can attend. Our original graduation date of May 8 falls within the timeframe of our continued state-issued social distancing directive of no more than 10 people gathered,” the release states. “Therefore, after much consideration by the WCS administration and executive board, we have decided to postpone Winona Christian’s 2020 graduation until June 12, 2020 at 7 p.m. in gym. Our hope is that a less restrictive social distancing directive will be in place by them. We will livestream the ceremony, and the local radio station will broadcast, for the convenience of those that are unable to attend.”
It states that if they cannot hold a traditional graduation ceremony on June 12, they will update their plans. WCS will hold a parade as a way to honor their seniors on Friday, May 8 – the original date of their graduation. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“Seniors will drive through the school entrance, proceed through the teacher parking lot to the gate beside the field house to make two laps around the track,” the post states. It states that people can park anywhere along the route but they must be in place by 6:15 and must remain in their vehicles.
CARROLL ACADEMY: Headmistress Penny Mitchell said Carroll Academy will hold graduation on Monday, May 18, on the Carroll Academy football field, rain permitting.
Mitchell said the graduation will be modified to accommodate social distancing. Each graduate will be limited to the number of family members allowed to attend graduation.
“Right now that number is five,” Mitchell said.
J.Z. GEORGE HIGH SCHOOL: The Carroll County School Board will make a decision on the upcoming J.Z. George High School graduation tonight. The school board will have a face to face meeting, however it will be limited and all COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Everyone in attendance will wear masks. Those who wanted to “see” the meeting, may do so by accessing the Taxpayer’s Website.
