Richmond High School will give its seniors their diplomas in individual ceremonies in May because of COVID-19.
Students will have a drive-through pick up of their caps, gowns and yard signs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, May 18, in the Career Center parking lot.
Beginning May 19, RHS Class of 2020 graduation ceremonies will take place in Civic Hall Performing Arts Center on the RHS campus.
Individual RHS seniors and their families will report at a scheduled time for an individual presentation of their diploma. Seniors will be scheduled alphabetically from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19-Thursday, May 21, for individual presentations of RHS diplomas.
RHS staff will make sure that social distancing recommendations are observed, and each RHS senior will have a limited number of family members in attendance.
The Civic Hall stage will be set up for graduation. RHS seniors’ names will be announced and they will walk across the stage to receive their diploma.
This will permit families to hear their senior’s name being called, witness the presentation of the diploma, and give them the opportunity to take photos.
Richmond Community Schools will record the presentations, which will include RHS Principal Rae Woolpy’s graduation speech, senior speeches, RCS Superintendent Todd Terrill’s speech and the declaration of the Class of 2020.
The video will be broadcast on WETV Channel 20 (Comcast Cable) and on the RCS YouTube Channel on RHS’ original graduation date at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31.
This will permit seniors and their families to witness the ceremony together at home. The video will also be available to download so RHS seniors and their families can keep a copy.
“Determining the appropriate ways to honor our graduating class of 2020 has been one of the top priorities for the RHS Principal Rae Woolpy and her administrative team over the past several weeks,” Terrill said. “While we are disappointed that traditional commencement ceremonies cannot be held due to COVID-19, the thoughtful innovation and care with which our schools and community partners have come together has been great to see. Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations who are continuing to work behind the scenes to make the 2020 RHS graduation ceremony truly special.”