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Date: 6/3/2020
HUNTINGTON – Gateway Regional High School Principal Jason Finnie has announced the plans to hold a drive-through graduation ceremony on June 5 have been postponed. Finnie said the plans were postponed following a survey of members and families of the class of 2020, which indicated a preference for a modified in-person graduation ceremony later in the summer.
“The vast majority (more than 71 percent) indicated a desire to postpone in the hopes of holding a ceremony more in line with a traditional commencement. Given this convincing sentiment, we have decided to postpone the 2020 GRHS graduation until July 24 - the date with the most support in the survey (more than 75 percent),” Finnie wrote in a letter to announce the results of the survey.
Finnie went on to note that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner’s guidelines for graduation ceremonies issued on May 21 indicate numerous health and assembly restrictions. Among restrictions are that attendance must be limited to graduates and their immediate family members only, families must sign up in advance of the graduation and only those who have pre-registered may attend.
The guidelines are also dependent on the state’s determination that public health data supports the continued opening of the state.
“If state guidelines do not allow for this option come July 24, we will hold the originally planned drive-through ceremony on July 24. Weather could also be a factor, as these guidelines prohibit indoor ceremonies. Given the cost of renting the stage and other equipment, this would not be financially feasible to duplicate on a later date,” Finnie said, adding that the school will work to accommodate mildly adverse weather, and may be able to postpone it to later that weekend if necessary.
If any student has need of documentation of a diploma prior to this date, Finnie asked that they contact the school. “Otherwise, we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2020 on July 24, 2020,” he said.