With Pennsylvania schools closed, how will the class of 2020 be recognized in Centre County?
As Pennsylvania students finish the academic year online, Centre County educators are working to recognize the class of 2020.
Following an order from Gov. Tom Wolf, all Pennsylvania K-12 schools, colleges and universities will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 year due to the coronavirus pandemic. With staple events like prom, senior trips and award presentations canceled, administrators are working to maintain a sense of normalcy by recognizing seniors in virtual ceremonies.
This week, the Bellefonte Area School District board of directors discussed honoring graduates in a virtual ceremony to be held on June 8, the scheduled date for commencement.
Bellefonte Superintendent Michelle Saylor said the district canceled prom and the senior trip, but officials are brainstorming ways to celebrate those planned events through watch parties and virtual events to present seniors with scholarships and academic awards.
“With the latest guidance, we’re working on a virtual graduation ceremony,” Saylor said. “The high school is working with their team. We want to make sure we have a memorable and beautiful experience for our seniors.”
Bald Eagle Area School District officials are also discussing alternative ideas to celebrate graduation, Interim Superintendent Joseph Clapper said.
Clapper anticipates BEA seniors will graduate on time but said the board of directors will discuss the matter as the state Department of Education provides schools with additional guidance.
State College Area School District, which had graduation scheduled for June 6, has postponed the junior and senior proms, said SCASD Director of Communications Chris Rosenblum.
High school administrators and student leadership are discussing options for graduation.
“At this time, we expect to have some type of ceremony (or) celebration occur on June 6 with social distancing preventing an in-person large gathering,” Rosenblum said. “We’ll communicate information regarding award ceremonies, graduation, caps and gowns and yearbooks to our families as soon as we can.”
St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy will host a virtual ceremony on May 16. The video will consist of pictures of the seniors, said Director of Marketing Laura Cunningham.
During the ceremony, the head of school will provide remarks and say each student’s name as their picture is shown. The school chaplain will also deliver a blessing, and two students will give speeches.
Penns Valley Area School District is in the process of planning graduation and other senior ceremonies, high school principal Dustin Dalton said in a video posted on Facebook.
“We are absolutely going to figure out a way to hold a commencement,” Dalton said. “But I want you to know that we’re working on it ... they are going to look very, very different, but it’s still going to happen.”
Every Penns Valley senior will also receive a yard sign to recognize them for their accomplishments.
“We’ve got big plans for that too,” he said.
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District planned to hold graduation June 5 and has not yet announced alternate plans.
Penn State announced a virtual graduation ceremony for graduates, family and friends will be held via livestream on May 9. Despite plans to invite students back for a future celebration, nearly 4,000 students signed a petition — requesting an in-person ceremony at a later date.
“This is heartbreaking news for the class of 2020 who have already lost the end of their senior year,” petition organizer and Penn State student Brianna Smith said. “They have been robbed of their last moments at Penn State already due to the coronavirus and were looking forward to at least getting closure as they walked across the state on graduation day — a day they have looked forward to for the last four years.”
When the stay-at-home order and statewide closure is lifted, schools are welcome to hold in-person ceremonies.
“The safety and security of all students and school community are a priority for the commonwealth and all chief school administrators,” reads a statement from the Department of Education. “Currently, restrictions on gatherings larger than 10 people and aggressive social distancing recommendations are in place across the commonwealth.”
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 4:24 PM.
