California Area plans modified graduation at Trojan Stadium

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
California Area High School Principal Leigh Ann Folmar addressed the school board during Wednesday’s virtual meeting about the district’s plans for the Class of 2020 commencement ceremony.
Folmar said California Area High School seniors will get the chance to accept their diploma in person May 29 and toss their graduation cap this year during a modified commencement ceremony, which will be held at Trojan Stadium in the end zone closest to the district’s K-8 school.
The principal said the commencement ceremony will consist of seven different “mini ceremonies,” each comprising 10 students. Those ceremonies will each include a graduation processional, the flag pledge, a brief welcome address, a diploma presentation, a cap tossing, the singing of the alma mater and a recessional. The first ceremony will start at noon.
The district’s technical department plans to livestream the ceremonies on the district website and/or Facebook page so the public can watch.
Folmar said each graduating senior will be permitted to invite two car loads of loved ones to watch the ceremony. Those spectators will be directed to park in a series of spaces along the stadium’s lower level lot and will be required to stay in their car throughout the ceremonies, which are each predicted to last 30 to 45 minutes. Folmar said the graduation stage will be located outside of the stadium fence. Spectator cars will be parked about 15 feet from the stage.
“They should have a pretty good view,” she said.
Folmar said a rain date is slated for May 30.
“If it rains on Saturday, we’ll have it on Sunday,” the principal said.
Folmar said each senior will be mailed an information packet explaining the plans for commencement. The information will also be posted on the district website under the “latest news” tab.
In other news related to graduating seniors, the board unanimously approved a request from the California borough police and volunteer fire departments and the 2020 senior class representatives to hold a senior recognition parade May 28.
Folmar said the parade is being organized by police Chief Timothy Sheehan. Seniors will line up in cars and will follow police cars and fire trucks throughout the borough during the parade. The parade will begin at 6 p.m., with line up at 5:30 in the high school parking lot.
The parade route will be published on the district website in advance so that borough residents can stand on their porches and sidewalks and in their yards and “celebrate our graduates as the parade moves along,” Folmar said.
Folmar said the district is also putting together a senior highlights DVD, which will contain a variety of images and memories from the Class of 2020’s K-12 career.