Richland One announces it will host outdoor high school graduation ceremonies
Another Midlands school district announced plans Thursday for outdoor graduation ceremonies to celebrate high school seniors this June in the midst of the cornoavirus pandemic.
Richland One, which includes Columbia, Dreher, Lower Richland, A.C. Flora, Keenan, Eau Claire and C.A. Johnson high schools, will hold eight high school commencement ceremonies from June 2 to 5, spread across the district’s four football stadiums. Rain dates, if needed, will be June 8-9.
Each graduating senior will receive two tickets for family members. No other guests will be admitted due to the coronavirus outbreak.
District officials say social distancing and other safety protocols will be in place, and the ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded. Further information about arrival times for graduates, masks and parking, will be communicated to students by their respective high schools.
“Graduating from high school is one of life’s most important milestones, and we want to recognize and celebrate all of our graduates for their achievements,” Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon said in a statement. “We believe we have come up with a plan that will allow us to do that and do it safely. We look forward to honoring the Class of 2020.”
As of 8:40 p.m. Thursday, no decision has been announced for graduation ceremonies for Richland Two school district students.
The schedule of ceremonies is as follows:
Tuesday, June 2 – The Stadium at Lower Richland
Lower Richland High School – 8 a.m.
Richland One Middle College – 11 a.m.
Wednesday, June 3 – Memorial Stadium
Dreher High School – 8 a.m.
A.C. Flora High School – 11 a.m.
Thursday, June 4 – Bolden Stadium
C.A. Johnson High School – 8 a.m.
Columbia High School – 11 a.m.
Friday, June 5 – The Stadium at W.J. Keenan
W.J. Keenan High School – 8 a.m.
Eau Claire High School – 11 a.m.
Lexington-Richland School District Five previously announced plans for outdoor ceremonies, with four high schools having ceremonies at three football stadiums. Limited guests and social distancing measures will also be in place. Similar plans have also been announced by Batesburg-Leesville and Swansea high schools in Lexington County, and North Central, Camden and Lugoff-Elgin high schools in Kershaw County.
Lexington County School District Two, which includes Brookland-Cayce and Airport high schools, will have a “virtual” ceremony while still scheduling times for graduates to pose for pictures on stage.
Last month, Colonial Life Arena canceled all events in the near future due to COVID-19, including planned graduation ceremonies for several high school districts.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 8:42 PM.
