Winfield seniors gather for commencement at Richard Jantz Stadium on May 19, 2019. (Photo courtesy USD 465)
Graduation for Winfield High School has been pushed to Saturday, July 25th, due to COVID-19 concerns.
According to a news release from USD 465, Graduation plans for Winfield High School 2020 seniors are being planned by a graduation committee made up of WHS Seniors and staff.
The district says the committee wants to make sure that every possible effort is made to recognize WHS seniors in the safest and most rewarding way possible.
“The graduation committee’s priority is to keep students safe, while giving them the recognition they deserve,” the press release stated. “Graduation is the last step out of childhood for these students and the committee wants to make sure it is done right.
“As WHS Seniors prepare to graduate into a pandemic, it is our responsibility to exhaust every possible effort to provide them with as normal and safe of a graduation ceremony as possible.”
The district says it recognizes and regrets the reality that some students may not be able to participate in a summer graduation.
May 17th, the original graduation date, has been selected for a community graduation celebration activity at 2:00 pm to honor what would have been an important day for WHS Seniors.
The hope is that every senior will get to participate in something.
“This will not be the graduation ceremony, but a simple celebration,” the district said about May 17th.
The graduation committee is in the process of developing three possible graduation celebrations based on different health regulation scenarios.
“As CDC, KDHE, and local health department regulations continue to unfold, the logistics of a graduation celebration will be updated,” the district said.
Ark City Set For Virtual Commencement, Recognizes Seniors With Road Signs
Ark City High School will hold a virtual commencement on May 9 — the original date of graduation for seniors.
Production is underway for seniors to be recorded in their caps and gowns for a presentation for the commencement.
USD 470 announced Tuesday via its Facebook page that there are now yard signs honoring each ACHS Class of 2020 graduate.
The signs are located along the north side of Radio Lane (from Summit Street to 15th Street) and duplicate signs are placed around the high school. Each duplicate sign will ultimately be given to its respective student.
The signs were moved inside temporarily Wednesday due to high winds and concerns they’d be blown away. USD 470 said they be put back outside when the wind dies down.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make this opportunity possible and a special thanks to USD 470 School Board members Rhoda MacLaughlin-Ramirez and Lori Barnes (and their families) for going above and beyond,” the district said.
