Sweet Home High School will hold its graduation ceremony over two days, June 4 and 5, in carefully scheduled small groups of seven students and guests, who will meet in the Main Gymnasium as graduates receive their diplomas.
Steve Thorpe, who is directing the event, said each graduate is allowed two guests and they will meet with administrators in 30-minute time slots. That ensures that no more than 25 people will be present at a time.
“During that time, we will be exercising all the rules that have been placed on us by the governor,” Thorpe said. “We will be practicing social distancing.”
The sessions will total out to over 12 hours of graduation ceremony, he noted.
Thorpe said he’s been impressed with efforts by administrators “to make this a great experience for our kids. Our superintendent and our principal are not just wanting to do something, they want to do something big.”
Any senior who is fuzzy on the details or has not been contacted by the high school should immediately call (541) 367-7145, Thorpe said.
Following Friday’s ceremonies, a processional will be held, in vehicles, starting at 7 p.m. at the Junior High, following Long Street to the avenues, then returning to the high school.
“This is where people can celebrate our seniors in a processional while we’re abiding by the rules of the state,” Thorpe said. Graduates will not be driving, he said.
People not in the procession should park or stand along the route and cheer their seniors, he said.
“On a personal note, please don’t do something that’s going to ruin this experience for our graduating seniors because you don’t agree with the situation we are in,” Thorpe cautioned.
“What we’re doing here, and I have a senior, is we’re doing the best we can in the situation we’re in to celebrate these kids the way they need to be celebrated. It’s unique, but it’s as close to normal as we can get.”