Individual Graduation ceremonies replace planned graduation as COVID-19 continues to distrupt

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Christine Stricker

The original plan for graduation for the Class of 2020 was for July 28.  Scratch that.  The original plan for graduation was May 14. However, when school was closed due to the pandemic caused by the coronavirus, graduation was moved to July 28.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases didn’t slow, and when graduation dates set for all four high schools neared during the last week of July, administrators made the difficult decision to go to individual mini-graduation ceremonies.

Parkway Central held graduation ceremonies from 12-6 on Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28.  Students signed up for a five minute slot.  They donned their caps and gowns and brought along family and friends.  They were able to choose one family member who would hand them their diploma while Principal Tim McCarthy or Assistant Principal Travis Fast read their names.  Wagner Portraits shots photos both on stage and off, and then graduates would be on their way. McCarthy mentioned that while this is not ideal, there are a few positives that came from the individual ceremonies.  Family members could play an active role and just focus on their own graduate.