COVID-19 has once again delayed the graduation ceremony for the Eagle Grove High School Class of 2020. The event was originally scheduled for May 17, but due to the pandemic, the senior class voted to move it to June 20 instead, hoping that they would then be able to have a more “normal” ceremony. Late last week, Superintendent Jess Toliver announced that he had been directed by his School Board members to get the approval of Wright County Public Health for the gathering. He reported back that they told him they would not stop the ceremony, but neither would the “approve” the public gathering for June 20.
When Governor Kim Reynolds announced that groups of people could gather (while still practicing social distancing) after June 25, a decision was made to move Commencement to Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m, at the high school football field. Rain date is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, but Toliver points out that this too could change.
“We don’t know yet exactly how many kids are planning to participate in the ceremony…as it sits right now, I can fit 54 graduates and 56 pods of four family members each inside the gym,” he said.
Unfortunately, that means not even teachers or other community members will be able to attend the ceremony, unless they are part of a family pod. The band and choir won’t be performing as usual either.
If there are no more than 54 graduates, then he said they would hold Commencement on Saturday, rain or shine. But as of press time, the event is still being planned to be held outdoors at the football stadium.
Toliver explained that the graduates will be seated six feet apart in all directions around them, regardless of if they are indoor or outdoor. In addition, each graduating family (there are three sets of twins in the class) is allowed a total of four guests. These pods of four guests will be ushered to (and from) their designated seats to ensure they will be spaced six feet apart in all directions.
A stage will be set up on the track for seniors to walk across to get their diplomas (or at the front of the gym where it usually is if events are moved indoors to the elementary gym). Graduates will walk across it, one at a time, to receive their diplomas. Toliver said that although all School Board members and the principal are always present for graduation, this year, it will be limited to himself, one board member, and Principal Vasquez. As the student is announced, one of them will place their diploma on a table in front of them for the graduate to pick up without contact.
“We’ve been in constant contact with Wright County Public Health…we will not act without their approval,” said Toliver. “Things change daily based on what is happening in the county…it’s hard to plan for uncertainty and we ask that everyone be flexible and know we are doing everything in our power to put on as normal of a ceremony as possible for these seniors.”
One final note – masks are recommended for all attendees.
Watch our Facebook page as we will post more up-to-date information if/when we receive it.
