BVA sets graduation, cancels prom
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
The Belle Vernon Area High School graduation has been scheduled to take place in four sessions over two days later this month.
The traditional ceremony for the 176 graduates had to be revised this year because of the restrictions in place even under the green phase of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 guidelines. Under state guidelines, no more than 250 people may assemble at any one time.
Graduation ceremonies will be held at the district’s James Weir Stadium June 24 and 25, with June 26 as the rain date. Students will graduate in groups of 25 at one time. Each student will be permitted to have four guests in the stands in order to keep the total number of people on the grounds under the state limit.
“This is not what any of us wanted, but the school district has little choice because of the Covid-19 rules and associated potential legal and other issues,” said Joe Grata, president of the school board. “The board of education and administration agreed to the commencement plans after looking at numerous options and after consulting with class leaders.
“Further postponement may have resulted in no in-person commencement at all or a ‘virtual commencement,’ neither of which were supported.”
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