Loris High School graduation is set

By Annie Rigby

Seniors at Loris High School found sympathetic ears for their dreams to have a traditional graduation with their class of 2020 grads. Board members received calls from parents and students pleading with them to be the voice of their desire to avoid a virtual graduation.

The district made the final decision to allow principals of each school to work with the students and parents to determine the best way to present diplomas to the seniors.

The district made the final decision to allow principals of each school to work with the students and parents to determine the best way to present diplomas to the seniors.

Loris High School principal Richard Crumley posted to the LHS Facebook page the three options for seniors to choose how they wish to graduate. He said, “You have been waiting patiently to know when and what your graduation would look like.” Seniors will choose one of the three options for graduation. Crumley said, “Decisions have been made and times are set and students are only allowed to participate in one ceremony.”

The first option would be a traditional graduation with fellow classmates at Heniford Football Stadium on Saturday, June 2, at 9 a.m. with a limit of two guests. The second option would be individual graduation at the stadium by appointment only on Saturday, June 2, beginning at 1 p.m. until all students with appointments have walked to receive their diploma; immediate family may attend not to exceed eight guests each. The third option would be to graduate without a ceremony.

LHS Junior Marshals are Caleb Alford, Andrew Brain, Ashlyn Gore, Tristin Graham, Carson Grainger, Madison Hardwick, Dawson Marlowe, Raegan Soles, Zoey Strickland and Nathan Todd. The valedictorian is Heather Ghent and the salutatorian is Jacob Black; the determination is the students’ final GPA.

Seniors Ashton Nerman, Alexandra Norman, Logan Knutson and Ethan Lewis say they have chosen the traditional graduation ceremony. Knutson said, “My choice is to walk with my class, though I can only invite two people, I am just happy to be able to graduate with my class rather than alone. Ashton said, “I am choosing to walk with my class; I started my first day of school with them and I want to finish this last ceremony with them. I am thankful the school is offering the traditional graduation.” Alexandra said, “My choice would be to walk with my class; it is something that I’ve always wanted to do and I think if I have the opportunity to walk with them I should.” Lewis said he chose that he wanted to complete this chapter of his life with the people he started it with.

The equipment will be on the field with social distancing guidelines and face masks required.