Owensboro Catholic and Trinity high schools have tentative plans in place for their Class of 2020 graduations.
Both schools are hopeful to conduct in-person ceremonies later this summer, though plans could be altered based on safety guidelines and restrictions.
Owensboro Catholic
Three potential dates have been picked for OCHS to hold some sort of in-person graduation — May 31, June 21 and July 12.
If social distancing guidelines and mass gathering restrictions are no longer in place, the school will try to hold a traditional ceremony at the Owensboro Sportscenter at the earliest date possible. If guidelines and restrictions are relaxed but still in place, OCHS could hold an outdoor ceremony at Steele Stadium.
A decision will be made mid-week before each date to determine whether a ceremony will be possible or if the school must wait for the next date.
July 12 is the last possible day to hold any sort of ceremony.
“This is due to college move-in dates beginning the next week and many of our students not being in town,” said principal Gates Settle.
If neither of those options can be used for a full ceremony, the school has some possibilities for allowing the senior class and parents to get together. Settle said they have been discussing a plan with some type of drive-up or drive-thru recognition at the Hines Center.
“We have already discussed some of those details with how to recognize every senior and present a diploma in front of the class,” he said. “I know these options aren’t ideal but if we get to this point, our options are very limited to recognize our seniors together.”
The last option would be a virtual ceremony, but Settle said that would only take place as a last resort.
Trinity
THS plans to have an in-person graduation ceremony July 10 at the Horn Center, though they expect there may be some limitations on who can attend.
“We plan on doing an in-person graduation and following whatever guidelines are set forth at that time,” said principal Emily Hernandez. “We told our parents to expect restrictions and thank them in advance for following those. We are doing our senior awards virtually, but the kids really wanted an in-person graduation so we’re holding off on that.”
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