Class of 2020 graduates face great changes and missed milestones due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlike previous graduates, most seniors won’t have the opportunity to walk the stage this month.
However, other ways of celebrating graduates while maintaining social distancing have been introduced.
Sunflower County Consolidated School District Superintendent Miskia Davis announced earlier this week that Gentry High School and Thomas E. Edwards Sr. High would conduct virtual graduation ceremonies next week for their seniors.
The ceremonies will feature traditional elements of speeches from the valedictorian and salutatorian. There will also be a welcome from Gentry High School Principal Willie Bolden and Davis.
The conferring of the degrees will be done by the superintendent and the school board president.
Davis is looking at the pros of having a virtual ceremony for the graduates.
“Of course, it's not what the seniors want. I understand that,” said Davis. “This is not their preference. I get it. However, it’s something they will have documented forever. It’s going to be on social media. More people can see it than would have during an actual ceremony.”
Gentry senior Jasmine Williams is fondly anticipating the virtual graduation ceremony.
“I am looking forward to my virtual graduation ceremony,” said Williams. “I plan on celebrating at home around my family and friends while listening to the superintendent call my name and my fellow classmates’ names.”
Barabra Johnson was looking forward to hearing her daughter, Amaya Mosley’s name called during a traditional graduation ceremony.
“My daughter is the first of my kids to graduate, and I have been looking forward to this day since she started Head Start,” said Johnson. “I've watched my daughter accomplish so many things during school and as a parent we look forward to cheering and celebrating these accomplishments.”
Mosley is a member of the award-winning Gentrytes and Beta Club. Mosley is a Superintendent Scholar, dual enrollment student and was Planters Bank’s Student of the Month for December 2019. She plans to attend Delta State University to major in Criminology and Social Justice.
Although Johnson would prefer a traditional graduation, she understands that the virtual graduation ceremony is necessary for the safety of everyone. Despite restrictions, she still plans on celebrating her daughter’s graduation.
“I see a lot of people doing parades, but I have decided to do a very intimate graduation dinner and allow her to receive gifts and words of encouragement from our family,” said Johnson. “I also have some different surprises that I can't give out right now. It will spoil the element of surprise.”
The district is looking to reschedule the traditional graduation.
“That’s going to be based on when the CDC relaxes the social distancing requirements that are surrounding COVID-19,” said Davis.
The district has not yet decided on how diplomas will be distributed. They are considering mailing them out for college admission purposes.
