May 14, 2020
Dear Class of 2020,
We hope you are doing well and that your spirits are strong. Challenging times are opportunities for bold people to rise and learn that resilience overcomes setbacks.
This letter is sent to update you on discussions /decisions the NHS administration, Class of 2020 Student Leadership, and Central Office have made regarding submission of materials and a modified graduation event. First, thank you for your patience. I have appreciated the majority of emails I have received from your Class, as many have articulated their understanding that there are no right answers during the pandemic. Whatever is put forward concerning graduation, some will like the determination, and some will not. We accept that and we have used the following guidelines to shape our decisions:
Safety - we will follow social distancing, masks, limiting the number of people in one area, etc. Above all, safety is paramount!
Diploma Receipt - while “handing” of the diploma will look different, we want you to have a photograph taken as you collect your diploma.
Viewability - while we would wish to be able to conduct a traditional graduation at Bourbon Stadium with 2,000 or more of our closest friends and loved ones, we all know that is not possible. So, we have devised an alternate viewability plan.
We will be conducting a virtual graduation (please refer back to my original letter) so that everyone can be included and a “drive up” graduation, which will be on our originally-scheduled graduation date, June 12th. More refined details will come out in the near future, but following are basic guidelines and information regarding the “drive up” event:
Prior to the event, likely during the first week of June, students will have a turn in /pick up day. (i.e., technology /materials returned and cap and gown picked up).
We will provide a graduation mask to each Class of 2020 member.
The event will be livestreamed. (Thank you, Terri Wright of BCTV!)
Speeches and other components will be recorded in advance and posted at some point.
Each graduate may have one car at the drive up event. Only the graduate will exit the vehicle at any point.
Graduates will pick up diplomas at a pedestal under the NHS front entrance canopy, where a keepsake picture will be taken.
Those are the most salient points. Bear in mind, as I said, there are no right answers. Some students may not wish to pick up a diploma in person, so we will arrange to get cap and gown pictures to add to the eventual video post. We will continue to update and refine information. In the meantime, be well!
Regards,
Steve Connolly