Charleroi seniors vote to graduate together
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Charleroi Area High School’s Class of 2020 will graduate together July 1.
That was the choice in a new vote taken among seniors, with the results released Friday by Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich.
Still, 69% of students who responded chose to have an in-person graduation together on the field, while 31% said they would prefer to have separate ceremonies in the campus parking lot to allow for more friends and family to attend as guests.
Plans are still in the works, but the ceremony is set to take place at 7 p.m. July 1, with a rain date planned for July 2.
“This is a democracy,” Zelich said. “People, families, students had concerns and we listened. I think it is important to know that while a lot of people are happy with this, there are still some who are disappointed with the decision to change.
“But, we listened, re-voted and did it in a way we thought was fair.”
Students will have an optional — but recommended — practice at 9 a.m. June 29, when they will each pick up three guest tickets.
Because of state directives and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, things will still look a little different this year.
The ceremony will include a procession, student speeches and diploma presentations.
Halfway through, there will be an intermission where guests will switch out.
During the intermission, the first group of guests will leave the stadium and the seats will be disinfected.
The second group of guests will be seated and the second half of the ceremony will begin around 7:45 p.m.
It will pick up where diploma presentations left off and will include seniors moving their tassels, throwing their caps into the air and a recessional.
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.
