Oak Ridge High students will walk for graduation in July

Hoping for a best-case scenario, Oak Ridge High School has scheduled a graduation ceremony and if it can't be held because of COVID-19 restrictions, will use a drive-up ceremony as a back-up plan.Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 have been scheduled for 8 p.m. July 17, in the football stadium at the school. The event will feature social distancingmeasures and attendance willpotentially be limited to two people per senior graduate, unless state and county guidelines are relaxed before then to allow bigger crowds. Those in attendance willalso be asked to practice social distancingin the stands. The event will either be streamed live or recorded so those not able to attend can still see it."I'm very happy with the process our school used to find the best graduation option we could," Oak Ridge Principal Aaron Palm said. "We did a survey that allowed every senior family to participate in it. The senior committee made up of senior parents, students, school admin and our activity director all used the survey results to drive our every decision. It was an amazingly inclusive experience."Our community gave us overwhelming feedback that they wanted to wait for an in-person graduation. So that is what we have given them. We just need to cross our fingers now and hope it will be allowed, come July 17," Palm said.The announcement made Monday is certainly good news for students looking forward to a graduation ceremony."I definitely thought we weren't having one, so I'm glad they have a plan," Oak Ridge senior Erica Ingram said. "I'm glad as a senior that I can go through graduation like every other senior,to go on stage and get my diploma and pictures. It's definitely better than a virtual graduation."It won't be 100 percent like a normal graduation but the valedictorian speeches will be givenand the 575 seniors will have their names called, will walk on stage,get their diploma and have their picture taken."We're not going to have the walk in and there won't be any live musical performances," Palm said. "Graduation is usually 90 minutes long; this one will be around 30 minutes shorter."Said Ingram, "The most important thing to me is getting my diploma and some pictures with my friends and being with my classmates one last time. It will be like a reunion seeing everyone and we will have a good time. We're lucky to have a graduation."While the graduation ceremony is scheduled, Palm warned students and families to be prepared for the worst. If the event cannot be held because of state or county health guidelines, an alternative event will be held the same day. A stage will be set up in the parking lot near the football field and students will be driven up to the stage one by one in a parade of cars. The graduate will exit the car,get their diploma and a picture taken, and then will go back to their car and exit the lot.More information on the graduation plans will be announced closer to the date. Parents, are you looking for a special way to salute your local graduate in these unique times? The Folsom Telegraph Gold Country Media is offering families a very unique opportunity to honor your student in their community newspaper. It's just a few clicks away right HERE: https://form.jotform.com/201279226110040