Local schools planning graduation alternatives
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - Members of the North Schuylkill Class of 2018 toss their caps into the air after graduation on June 5, 2018.
SHENANDOAH – Northern Schuylkill County’s three school districts will still have a graduation of some sort in about a month.
Shenandoah Valley, Mahanoy Area, and North Schuylkill are ironing out the details of their specific projects in advance of graduation day on June 1 and 3, respectively, which they shared with the Sentinel today.
Shenandoah Valley
According to Shenandoah Valley Superintendent Brian Waite, two projects are being worked on: a live-streaming event at the school’s campus and a virtual graduation.
The live-streaming event, which would take place on June 1, “will be designed as closely to a traditional ceremony while following social distancing guidelines.”
Students would line up in their parents’ cars, and no spectators would be allowed on campus. Students would be driven to the high school circle to receive their diploma case and have a picture taken, though no one else could leave the car.
From there, the graduate would be driven to a designated area to return their gown and receive their diploma.
The event would be livestreamed, and more details will be released closer to the event.
The virtual graduation would essentially be a video including all graduates and speeches from class officers, among others.
Students are reminded there are strict deadlines involved in the virtual graduation, to check their student email often.
The timeline for the virtual graduation is dependent on the arrival of caps and gowns.
Waite said in a letter to the school community, “As a senior class, you still have the opportunity to make the most of YOUR year. We know you will “rise up” and forever remain SV Strong and Proud!”
Mahanoy Area
According to Mahanoy Area High School Principal Stan Sabol, his school is planning a virtual graduation set to be viewed on June 3 at 7:00pm.
“It is kind of like a movie premiere and that is when the ‘movie’ will premiere,” Sabol said.
The district is partnering with Marching Order and Stage Clip, through Herff Jones, and the video will include the invocation, welcome, valedictorian, salutatorian, principal, passing and acceptance of the mantle, and benediction speeches.
The video, he said, is limited to 60 minutes, though they are trying to include as many parts of a live graduation as possible.
“We are also waiting to hear back from the Stage Clip company for them to give us directions on how our graduates will be able to upload a 15-20 second video clip with a message to their classmates that they will be able to download and share on social media,” Sabol said.
The virtual graduation will also be able to be shared on social media as well.
North Schuylkill
North Schuylkill has partnered with the same companies for a similar ceremony, according to North Schuylkill Superintendent Dr. Robert Ackell.
In addition to the virtual graduation, graduates will receive the opportunity to walk across Spartan Field individually and receive an 8×10 photo commemorating the event.
“The District is always working out details for a senior parade before the 7PM ceremony on June 3rd,” Ackell said. “In the next few days each family of a senior will receive a yard sign to display their Spartan Pride!”
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