This is the time of year when high school seniors take that walk in their cap and gowns to accept their diplomas but, unfortunately, because of the global pandemic, this year’s senior class will experience something completely different.
Traditional graduations have been restricted in the state with some going to virtual and others being canceled.
Abingdon-Avon School District is holding off on an in-person ceremony until a future date when the State of Illinois may be in a later phase of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Curry tells WGIL that the seniors and parents were surveyed and results overwhelmingly favored holding in-person graduation.
“So we have dates scheduled through August that we can hold on to if and when we ever reach phase five or a modified phase four in the ‘Restore Illinois’ program,” Curry said. “We could go as late as [the day before next year’s graduation] My fear with that is the desire to participate might wane on some people’s parts by then but we have tentative dates in August.”
In the interim, the district found another way to honor the graduates and their immediate families.
“We have been bringing families in — all but three of our families participated — coming in, getting a professional photo taken with their families and their diplomas, in the high school, in what looked like the actual graduation setup. And that’s been really, really well received by our public.”
Additionally, Dr. Curry says the district is also working on a celebratory graduation precession through Abingdon and Avon on Sunday, May 17, weather permitting, and he encouraged the public in those communities to cheer on the graduates.
