2021 Graduation Plans Similar to 2020

As of right now, the current plans for the 2021 graduation ceremonies of Hartford and Slinger will be similar to last year’s with COVID precautions set in place such as social distancing and limited capacities.

This year’s graduation ceremony plans will mostly depend on what the COVID protocol looks like at the time. Everything is subject to change however the current plans look similar to last year’s ceremony. As of now, it will be held outside at Gib Mahr Field on Saturday, June 5 at 10:30 a.m. with a rain date of Sunday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m.

“If COVID protocol is the same (6ft social distancing and suggested mask-wearing) then Graduation will look very much the same with seating spaced out and a contactless ceremony,” district project coordinator Beth Hermann said.

The 2020 graduation consisted of graduates walking across the stage as a counselor read their name. There were no musical performances, and graduates had their diplomas mailed or picked up the next week at school. Compared to previous years there had been live singing and musical performances from the high school band, orchestra and choir.

“Some simply could not make the date as it had moved from the original date of June 7 to July 25,” Hermann said.

Also due to COVID the ceremony date was pushed back over a month causing some students unable to attend. Other than that scheduling conflict there was a limited capacity put in place. The event was based on a 25 percent capacity. Each of the 327 graduates received four tickets that were to be used to invite immediate family.

HUHS offered another option for graduates that wished to have more tickets for family and friends.

“WTKM also broadcasted the ceremony live, and some people chose to sit on the nearby grass hill to watch the ceremony,” Hermann said.

This year the current graduate list is at 340 students and protocols are looking to be the same by limitating spectators, masks, social distancing, and so on. Superintendent Jeff Walters believes the challenges of holding a graduation ceremony this year will consist of balancing the desire to bring as many people while balancing risk factors that go along with that.

“[The ceremony] will serve as a culminating event for our seniors that they deserve to have,” Walters said.

Slinger High School’s 2020 graduation ceremony had also looked very similar to Hartford’s. It took place on July 11 at 1 p.m. Slinger held their graduation outside on the football field, six feet socially distanced as well. Slinger graduates were also allowed to bring four guests. There were 250 graduates with a total of 1000 guests allowed in the 2020 ceremony. Diplomas were handed out to the graduating class as they walked across the front. Similar to Hartford, the ceremony was livestreamed on You Tube.

Slinger graduates this year will most likely be following the same protocols as the 2020 ceremony. There will be four guests per graduating student and it will take place on the football field. There will likely be a capacity of 1,020 because there is 255 students expecting to graduate this year.

Slinger High School Superintendent Daren Sievers thinks the benefits of having the ceremony this way ensures that the event will be safe and risks minimized.

“[The ceremony’s plans] would be the same, or better if conditions improve,” Sievers said.

However nothing is completely set in stone with any of the current plans. It is important to note that there could be sudden changes to plans, and only time will tell.