Dare County Schools Superintendent John Farrelly on Monday released a plan to celebrate Dare County’s seniors, but without traditional graduation ceremonies.
“Our high school principals and senior leadership team have given an extraordinary amount of thought and consideration over the past several weeks on how to best move forward with a graduation plan,” Farrelly said.
Seniors at First Flight, Hatteras and Manteo high schools will receive their diplomas and have family portraits and videos taken to commemorate the occasion.
A survey sent out to parents and seniors last week showed many advocating for a traditional graduation ceremony while some offered the idea of a drive-in concept with social distancing, Farrelly said.
Others asked officials to consider holding ceremonies later in the summer, while a few didn’t feel any event should be held.
Farrelly said holding traditional ceremonies isn’t possible under current local, state and federal guidelines. And while officials considered holding graduation later in the summer, “there is no guarantee that social distancing guidelines would change significantly and that option could be problematic with students going off to college, the military, or the workforce.”
Each graduating senior and their family will be recognized and receive their diploma in their school auditorium following social distancing guidelines between May 26 and June 4. Local photographer Audra Krieg of 12th Street Portraits will photograph families on stage, while Baldwin Video Productions will be there to take a video for a culminating graduation video(s) that will be released at the scheduled graduation day and time.
“We are very thankful to both Audra Krieg and Benny Baldwin for their support of our seniors and Dare County Schools,” Farrelly said.
All graduation speakers such as valedictorians etc, will be filmed giving their speeches for their school graduation video.
Parents will be able to download free family photos off of our district website beginning on graduation day.
The event schedule for families is as follows:
- May 26: Cape Hatteras Secondary School
- May 27, 28, 29: Manteo High School
- June 1, 2, 3, 4: First Flight High School
Each school principal has a detailed plan and family schedule that will ensure social distancing and family safety. Principals will be sending this home to all graduating seniors and their parents this Friday, May 15.
Dare County Schools will release each school’s graduation video on the original graduation dates and times scheduled:
- Friday, June 12: First Flight High School at 7:00 pm
- Saturday, June 13: Manteo High School at 9:00 am
- Saturday, June 13: Cape Hatteras Secondary School at 7:00 pm
Access to the high school graduation events will remain on our website following each release.
” …While we are not positioned to have a large group gathering, know that we are so very proud of our seniors and hopeful that families will rally and celebrate each senior over the next several weeks,” Farrelly said. “Congratulations to the class of 2020 who’s spirit of resiliency and courage to overcome obstacles will be the hallmark of this graduating class. Lastly, seniors- please know that we have many teachers, administrators and staff members who love and care about you. Their thoughts have been with our senior class since this pandemic began.”
