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Area schools announce 2021 graduation plans

Central Methodist to hold twin ceremonies Saturday

Justin Addison, Editor/Publisher
Posted 5/4/21

The beginning of May conjures thoughts of Mother’s Day, spring weather, colorful flowers, and for youngsters, the end of school. Unlike this time a year ago, the month of May will be filled …

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Area schools announce 2021 graduation plans

Central Methodist to hold twin ceremonies Saturday

Posted

The beginning of May conjures thoughts of Mother’s Day, spring weather, colorful flowers, and for youngsters, the end of school. Unlike this time a year ago, the month of May will be filled with graduation ceremonies.

This year’s ceremonies will mark not just the end of high school and the beginning of adulthood for so many high school seniors, but a return to normal, or close enough to it. The 2019-2020 school year came to such an abrupt and uncertain conclusion amid the exploding COVID-19 pandemic. Area schools eventually held modified graduation ceremonies late in the summer. Fayette moved off campus to Puckett Field House at Central Methodist University to allow for distancing. Other schools held outdoor events. The university was finally able to honor its graduates in September.

A more normal commencement season kicks off this weekend for Central Methodist seniors and graduate students. The university will host two outdoor graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Both events are scheduled to take place at Davis Field, weather permitting. In the event of rain, the ceremonies could move to Puckett Field House.

Each ceremony is limited to 130 graduates. To allow for proper distancing, there is a four-person limit on guests for each graduate. Registration is required for graduates and for their guests.

The guest speaker for commencement is Dr. Robert T. “Tad” Perry ’65, chairman of the board at Central Methodist. Originally from Fayette, Dr. Perry retired as executive director of the South Dakota Higher Education Board of Regents. He has served as Central’s board chair since October 2014. Prior to his time on the Board of Regents in South Dakota, Perry was assistant provost and a longtime political science professor at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Perry earned a bachelor’s degree at Central Methodist University and his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri.

Due to COVID-19 distancing requirements, there will be no CMU baccalaureate ceremony this spring.

High Schools

New Franklin and Glasgow high schools will host their commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 16. Both begin at 2 p.m.

The New Franklin graduation ceremony will take place in the high school gymnasium. Each graduating student will be allowed to invite up to 20 family members and friends to attend in person. Ten of those seats will be on the floor. The other 10 attendees may sit in the bleachers. The commencement speaker will be former New Franklin teacher Ryan Lyons. The high school band will also perform.

Glasgow will also hold commencement in the high school gym. There currently are no limits with regard to attendance. The band will perform.

Fayette will stay home for commencement at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 23. The ceremony will be held in the high school gym. Eight seats on the floor will be reserved for each graduating senior. Additional guests will be allowed to sit in the bleachers. Neither the band nor choir will perform this year to allow for additional floor seating.

The guest speaker for Fayette will be former high school football coach Roger VanDeZande. 

The ceremony will be live-streamed on the high school’s Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.

Harrisburg will also hold its graduation at 2 p.m. on May 23. The ceremony will take place in the high school gymnasium with no restrictions on attendance. The district recommends those who attend wear masks and will ask those attending to sit in family groups. The class president and valedictorian will each speak.

Higbee wraps up graduation ceremonies for this area. Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 28 for high school seniors and eighth-graders. The event is open to all who wish to attend, but masks will be required. The guest speaker will be former Higbee teacher Dave Menius.

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