WORTHINGTON — Although the coronavirus pandemic has squashed graduating seniors' dreams of walking across a stage with all their classmates, District 518 wanted to find a way to mark May 29 as the Class of 2020's official graduation day.
To do so, administrators have turned to the Internet.
"These decisions are very difficult," said Worthington High School Principal Josh Noble, adding that the finalized graduation decision was determined through collaboration between administrators, staff, some students and community leaders. "We need to do our best to keep our students, families and the community safe while still honoring the class of 2020."
WHS seniors are invited to dress up in their caps and gowns on the day of May 29 and post a photo to social media using #WHS5182020. The hashtag will make WHS graduation photos easily searchable.
The district will still deliver a graduation ceremony virtually, beginning at 5:30 p.m. May 29, from the district's website and Facebook page. The agenda includes music, speeches and the reading of each graduate's name. As advisors read through the class roster, seniors' pictures will appear onscreen. At the conclusion, the district invites each graduate to throw their cap in the air and pat themselves on the back.
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At 7 p.m. that night, seniors and their parents/guardians should gather in their cars at Prairie Elementary to begin a parade through Worthington, escorted by the Worthington Police Department and the Worthington Fire Department. The community is invited to recognize the seniors as they pass through town.
An exact parade route is yet to be determined, Noble said, but a map will be released in the coming weeks.
