Hempfield School District has officially announced that there will be no in-person commencement ceremony for the Hempfield High School Class of 2020. In a statement sent to graduating seniors and their families on April 28, principal Jim Dague said that the decision was essentially made by the venue.
"Due to the current public health crisis, and following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance for large gatherings, F&M (Franklin & Marshall College) has cancelled all events on their campus through the summer. Therefore, our Hempfield High School commencement ceremony at F&M has been cancelled," Dague explained. "While this is disappointing news for all of us, members of our high school team had already started planning for a virtual commencement experience as a back-up. This back-up plan has now become our priority."
Commencement caps, gowns, and diploma covers will be mailed to graduating seniors. Those items will be needed for specific aspects of the virtual experience. A message containing specific directions from MarchingOrder and StageClip will be emailed to students. Both businesses specialize in personalizing graduation ceremonies utilizing digital and social media.
Dague did not entirely reject the idea of an in-person celebration. "I know this announcement will cause a lot of emotions, as well as ideas and 'what if?' questions," Dague said. "At this time, we must wait to proceed with other ideas about any type of face-to-face event. As we learn more about Governor Wolf's plan to reopen Pennsylvania, and specifically Lancaster County, we will be able to consider any plans for something special to be held at some point in the summer for members of the Class of 2020."
Any events would need to be in compliance with the updated recommendations for mass gatherings and large community events, Dague added. Nothing has officially been planned as of yet.
The viewing details of the virtual commencement will be announced later.
"As we have said many times, we want to celebrate the Class of 2020," Dague remarked. "You have earned it!"
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