Geary HS Settles On Open-air Graduation

Geary High School has announced its graduation plans. The plans, of course, have been altered somewhat from the traditional ceremony in the field house with packed stands full of parents, grandparents and other well-wishers.

The Covid-19 pandemic ruled out that kind of event and administrators put on their thinking caps to come up with another solution.

This year the ceremony will be held in the open Oklahoma air of the football stadium.

Seniors will be seated on the home side bleachers, properly spaced, while parents and family members may bring lawn chairs or blankets and seat themselves on the field, observing the six-foot rule.

The press box sound system will carry student speeches, the commencement address and ceremonial announcements. Diplomas will be handed out on the lowest level of the bleachers. The school is providing a photographer to take pictures of the graduates. The photos will be available to download at no charge.

But because this is springtime in Oklahoma, there is also a Plan B in case of bad weather. That plan includes an automobile parade of seniors down Main Street with families and others lining the street to honk their horns in celebration as they pass. Speeches and the presentation of diplomas will be recorded and shown on the school website. If Plan B is the necessary option, a map of the route and more information will be made public by May 15. There are 21 seniors in the Class of 2020.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com