Midlands high school graduations upended as USC cancels Colonial Life Arena events
The University of South Carolina has canceled events at Colonial Life Arena in the near future, upending high school graduation ceremonies typically held there.
Several local school districts that use Colonial Life Arena for graduation are in limbo about whether they will hold graduation at a later date or will seek a different venue, school officials said.
“We’re not canceling graduation,” said Richland 2 spokeswoman Libby Roof, whose district includes Spring Valley, Richland Northeast, Blythewood, Ridge View and Westwood high schools. “We’re committed to doing something.”
Lexington-Richland 5 is waiting until the coronavirus pandemic dies down before making decisions on when to re-open, spokeswoman Katrina Goggins said in an email.
“The district is under the governor’s executive order of closure,” Goggins said. “Until this closure is lifted, the district is not prepared to make decisions.”
Lexington-Richland 5 includes Irmo, Dutch Fork, Chapin and Spring Hill high schools.
Richland One noted on its Facebook page that graduations had been scheduled for June 1-3. “While we know now that we will have to have our graduation ceremonies at another location, it is still uncertain when restrictions on large gatherings will be lifted, so our graduation dates may change as well.”
Richland One includes Columbia, Dreher, Lower Richland, A..C. Flora, Keenan, Eau Claire and C.A. Johnson high schools.
Lexington 1 is looking for an alternative venue because many graduating seniors will already be in college by the middle of August, said spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill.
“This was really not unexpected,” Hill said.
Lexington One’s high schools include Lexington, Gilbert, Pelion, White Knoll and River Bluff.
Despite USC shutting down graduation events before Aug. 1, there are still shows scheduled at the arena. Those include a Jimmy Buffett concert, scheduled for June 9, and a rap/R&B concert featuring Ying Yang Twins, Ashanti, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy and more remains scheduled for July 12, according to Colonial Life’s website.
“The August 1 date is based on the date in which we extended campus closure for the time being,” USC Spokesman Jeff Stensland said in an email. “In terms of concerts, it’s typically the promoter, not the venue, who announces cancellations and rescheduled dates.”
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This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 3:10 PM.