The Disruption of Graduations caused by COVID-19

With the national crisis of COVID-19, many graduation ceremonies have been canceled or postponed. Baldwyn High School administration discussed to have a nontraditional graduation ceremony on June 4 in an outside venue.

“We understand this is not the ideal situation for any graduate and their family,” Superintendent Jason Mckay said. “We will have the best ceremony possible while still keeping our staff, students, and their families safe.”

The graduation ceremony will follow the CDC guidelines, and those guidelines can change weekly. They currently have three options that will fit the guidelines of what the state says they can or cannot do.

While graduation plans are still uncertain during this time of a crisis, whichever option the administration chooses will be provided to the public.

“We have considered several things,” Vice Principal Odessa Ingram said. “Whatever it is, it will be recorded and shared on social media. I’ve been asked not to say what our options were.”

Graduation is a key milestone in many seniors’ lives since it’s their last year of high school.

Along with High School senior Micaela Harper, many seniors have waited 12 years to complete this part of their life.

“At first, I was very disappointed because you know, we won’t be able to experience this greatness that we all been looking forward to since elementary school,” Harper said. “And it’s basically now been taken away saddens me.”

The school is doing everything they can to make sure that the seniors are at ease about this.

They are not only communicating with the students but parents as well.

“I'm looking at the positive side of this,” Senior Parent Melinda Harper said. “You have to work with it. I think the schools are making an effort to do something so that the graduates all feel special”

A parent started a Facebook page for the seniors to be adopted by people in the community. The staff has also passed out senior yard signs. They’re also using caution, when communicating with students to prevent breaking any rules as guidelines.

Because of this crisis, the Mississippi Department of Education has suspended all end of year assessments including Algebra I, English II, Biology, and U.S. history. However, current seniors are still required to complete the 24 Carnegie units in order to graduate. Mississippi is one of 13 states that still require students to take tests to earn their diploma.

In previous years, the end of the year requirements caused students not to graduate because they did not pass the assessments. The suspensions of state assessments, has helped students who otherwise may not have graduated

“This testing is a very stressful time, and the best decision was made not to test and worked in a lot of the kid's favor,” Testing Coordinator Rhonda Crump said. “There were some students, for instance some seniors, who only had one other opportunity to take the test. Had they not passed the test; they would not have been able to graduate.”

This crisis has affected everyone, but it has also given seniors plenty of time to think and plan ahead. Students are still able to get in contact with faculty and staff. They have access to their transcripts, help with college applications, and access to scholarship applications.

“Use this as a learning experience,” Vice Principal Odessa Ingram said. “Use it as something to make you strong and learn how to adapt to an uncertain situation. Use this time wisely and to plan for your future.”

Most colleges are waving their SAT and ACT scores for the upcoming school year due to this crisis. Now seniors who have been worried about getting into colleges have a chance to attend the college of their dreams.