In just over four weeks, Wright City High School will host its 2021 commencement ceremony. The preliminary plan for graduation was discussed during the R-II monthly school board meeting on April …
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In just over four weeks, Wright City High School will host its 2021 commencement ceremony. The preliminary plan for graduation was discussed during the R-II monthly school board meeting on April 20.
This year’s ceremony is set for June 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school football field.
With this being a Friday evening, it allows for the backup dates of June 5 and 6 in the case of inclement weather. Principal Matt Brooks said there is a potential Plan B for an indoor graduation if rain is forecast the entire weekend.
“We have a similar setup as we did last year,” explained Brooks. “I thought it ran pretty smoothly for never having done graduation that way. At that time we didn’t expect we would be having a modified graduation again a year later.”
As was the layout last year, students will be seated six feet apart along the track, with staff members on the home bleachers. Graduates will proceed across the lower walkway of the bleachers to receive their diplomas.
While the layout of graduation will look much the same, there will be some impactful changes. Spectators will again be seated on the football field, but students will now be allotted eight tickets compared to the six last year. Chairs will be in blocks spaced six feet apart.
“Masks for patrons will be optional,” said Brooks. “We are still looking for students and staff to be masked. Hopefully we can have as open of a graduation as safely as possible.”
The ceremony will include speeches by the class president and up to three others students, as well as the keynote speaker from the staff, chosen by the Class of 2021.
Brooks said tickets will be dispersed to students soon, and the event will also be available for viewing on Facebook Live.
This year’s graduation is being held later than in the past, other than last year’s ceremony which was postponed to July due to COVID-19.
“Traditionally we have graduation at the end of the week that school ends,” said Brooks. “In this case it (would have) run into Memorial Day weekend, which would potentially present conflicts with other plans families might have.”
With state legislation having pushed the school start date back, the district was forced to adapt its end date and graduation schedule accordingly, district officials said.