Claymont announces graduation ceremony
Claymont City School District announced a combination in-person and virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 that celebrates each graduate while still following the social distancing guidelines set forth by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health.
“The COVID-19 is a very unfortunate situation. Our seniors along with their parents have looked forward to high school graduation. Gov. DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education’s guidance regarding graduation ceremonies has been very clear. We are determined to make this year’s graduation one that students will always remember,” Superintendent Brian Rentsch said.
On Saturday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 19, each student, along with up to four guests, will be invited to Claymont High School to walk across the stage in their cap and gown to receive their diploma and have individual and family portraits taken by Photographs by Sarah. All families will leave with a photograph of their choice.
Parents were contacted by the school on Monday, May 4 to reserve their day and time. Each student will be videotaped, as will all aspects of the traditional ceremony such as graduation speeches, performances and the all-important turning of the tassel. The footage from these two days along with personal photos, quotes, and videotaped well wishes from family, friends and the community will be compiled into a video production that will air on Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m.
The video will be posted to the Claymont City School District webpage, as well as district Facebook and Twitter accounts. Every student will receive a keepsake DVD copy of the 2020 graduation ceremony.
“This will be the most personalized graduation ceremony we have ever had,” Principal Amy Lint-Conn said. “We feel that many aspects of this ceremony will become traditions for years to come. Our students have been asked to sacrifice some of the traditional rituals of their senior year to protect those in our community who are most vulnerable to this disease, and that is a noble thing that should be commended. We will not let it stop us from celebrating this amazing class of graduates in style.”
