The Online Newspaper of Lakewood High School

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

    Lakewood High to Hold Virtual Commencement

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    On Monday, April 27, Lakewood High School principal Mark Walter sent out an email to the class of 2020 announcing that this year’s commencement ceremony will be held virtually. This alert came after the Ohio Department of Education and Governor Mike DeWine advised that all schools in the state refrain from holding in-person graduation ceremonies because of the health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The ceremony will air at 12 p.m. on the school’s website and via a direct link. The graduating class will then have the opportunity to drive by the high school to pick up their diploma cases and take individual photos in their caps and gowns.

    Mr. Walter’s email also includes details about picking up items from the school and continuing other senior traditions. This Saturday, May 2, students are to drive by to pick up their caps, gowns, and senior t-shirts. A virtual Senior T-shirt Day will take place on May 6, and Senior Apparel Day (during which students are to wear clothing related to their future plans) will be on May 8. The following week, on May 11, LHS staff will drop off Class of 2020 yard signs for each senior. Virtual Senior Dress Up Day is set for May 21– those who ordered flowers can pick them up from the school, and every senior is invited to wear dress-up clothes and post their outfits on social media. Finally, seniors will pick up their yearbooks and items left in their lockers on May 26 and May 27.

    Prom at the Botanical Gardens is currently scheduled to take place on June 25, though this is date is only tentative because it is dependent upon future social distancing rules.

    Unfortunately, this LHS class will miss its “last day” reception in the Ranger Cafe proceeding its final day of school. Some students would have also walked across the stage in their final Celebration of Excellence (a ceremony celebrating high achievements in academics) and played in their final sports season or concert throughout these final months if it were not for the effects of the pandemic.

    If you know a senior, be sure to reach out to them and acknowledge their achievements and celebrate their future plans!

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