Graduation season is here and for seniors across Acadiana and ceremonies will be much different this year. In Evangeline Parish, the district will host virtual graduation ceremonies this year.
While the details are still being worked out for each school, the district says it will follow the Governor's order for social distancing and crowd limits. They'll also require attendees to wear masks. While it won't be a traditional ceremony, one Mamou High Senior is happy she'll be able to mark the milestone.
The graduation ceremonies will be streamed live on facebook and other platforms. It's all a way to celebrate the class of 2020 while keeping students, their families and the staff safe.
"it's not exactly what I would've had in mind , but I do appreciate everything our administration has done," high school senior Tamra Terry said. "Of course the circumstances concerning covid-19 are not in our control. I'm grateful to even have any type of celebration for my senior year."
Graduation is a moment Terry and her family have been waiting for. The high school senior is gradutating with 4.1 GPA. Throughout her high school career, she's participated in varsity cheer, Fellowship of Christian Students, Future Business Leaders of America, and Senior Beta.
She plans on attending LSUE in the fall for nursing.
She's one of many students whose senior year has been impacted by the pandemic. "I've been taking it one step at a time of course," Terry said. "I have family to lean on. They've been so great . They came to my house and set up decorations. I even have a big sign in my yard with my face on it. It's something to make me feel better."
While the school district is turning to a safer way to hold the ceremony, Terry says she's grateful she can still mark the milestone.
"It's very important for us to have that experience," Terry said."This actually could be better now for everyone can see. At our school we'd do the tickets. Only 3 to 4 people could come. They didn't have the opportunity to live stream so this could be very good."
While details for Terry's school at Mamou High are still being worked out, she's looking forward to celebrating her and the class of 2020's achievements. It's achievements she says go beyond the classroom.
"My fellow seniors keep your head up and move forward," Terry said. "Our class is strong . we were born during the 9/11 incident and we're leaving with Covid-19. We are made for this. We will succeed,push through and overcome."
Commencement ceremonies for Ville Platte and Pine Prairie High will take place on May 14th. Basile and Mamou High's ceremonies will happen on May 15th.
Superintendent Darwin Lazard says each school will contact parents about how those ceremonies will work.
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