As Madison County seniors are preparing to say goodbye to high school and move into a new chapter of their lives, plans for the last milestone of their high school careers are beginning to take shape.
While prom dresses and sports uniforms have gone unused for the 2020 school year, seniors have learned that they will still have the chance to don their caps and gowns.
Madison County Schools issued a survey to students and parents of the class of 2020 to determine the best way to mark the occasion in the safest way possible.
“Your feelings and thoughts on this milestone even are important as we strive to mark this occasion with the importance it deserves in the midst of unprecedented circumstances,” Superintendent Charlotte Seals wrote in a letter to parents and students.
Madison County Schools’ officials selected the most requested plan, or top choice, from survey responses.
Since the shelter-in-place order was lifted by Gov. Tate Reeves, each high school will hold individual graduation ceremonies for each graduating senior beginning May 26 and continuing through June 5.
Each graduate will be given time during those two weeks to attend his or her in-person graduation, with guests limited to immediate family members. A photographer and videographer will be present to capture the individual ceremonies and compile them into one graduation video.
Holly Dean, whose son Walker attends Madison Central High School, is excited for the chance to celebrate this milestone with her family.
“It’s kind of emotional, because he is ending a chapter in his life that we’ve been looking forward to,” Dean said. “It has been strange to say the least. But, it meant the world to us that the administration is trying to accommodate everybody. They’re in a strange situation right now, making historical decisions.”
She said the option to have individual graduation ceremonies is the “best of both worlds,” as families will still have the opportunity to celebrate their graduates and watch them receive their diplomas, and the graduates will still be recognized.
Also, if large group gatherings are permitted under order of the governor and guidelines of the Mississippi Department of Health on or before July 6, high schools in Madison County School District will also offer a traditional graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 on or around July 18.
Melissa Bell, whose daughter Allie Grace also attends Madison Central, is glad that the school district was able to salvage a graduation experience for the 380 seniors. However, she is still hopeful that the large ceremony in July will come to fruition.
“It’s definitely super difficult,” Bell said of the cancellation of many of the seniors’ milestone events. “But there have been good parts as well. That extra time with her has been very valuable. But those milestones one-by-one being taken away, and the thought of not having graduation with all of her friends, that part has been difficult.”
They are still hopeful for the opportunity to have a normal graduation ceremony.
“The fact that they said if it’s possible to have a ceremony in July that we will have one, gives us hope. That’s something we all need right now,” Bell said. “The small group, family thing, I’m glad we have that. We really want the big celebration, but right now we know that isn’t feasible. But we do appreciate having the option for the smaller ceremony.”
“We wish that we could gather together in traditional form in May to celebrate our class of 2020,” Seals wrote. “Seniors, your fortitude and perseverance will serve you well as you move on to college and career. We are so proud of your maturity in handling such a difficult time and look forward to honoring your accomplishments at graduation.”
