Lexington, SC 04/05/2021 – Lexington School District One has decided to bring its high school graduations back to their school’s football stadiums after the Colonial Life Arena wouldn’t relax guest attendance limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a message to parents and students from Chief Communications Officer Mary Beth Hill, the administration of the arena still wanted to limit each graduating senior to just two guests.
In her note to parents, Hill said that the school district had originally booked the University of South Carolina’s Colonial Life Arena for their graduations like they had each year pre-pandemic. However, again in 2021 the arena’s administration decided to strictly enforce social distancing and limit each District One graduate’s guest’s ticket allotment to just two. Hill said that the district asked that they reconsider and provide at least four tickets for each student for guest because they wanted more members of the graduates’ families to be able to share in this experience with them. Unfortunately, the staff of the Colonial Life Arena were unable or unwilling to do that.
Hill said that the district is aware of the importance of students sharing the graduation experience with their families and classmates. They also couldn’t control the circumstances that disrupted this school year however, they could make changes to try to honor the graduates desire to experience this moment together.
After thinking this over carefully, the district’s leaders decided they could do better by holding a modified commencement ceremony for each high school in their football stadiums. The extra space outdoors enables them to provide each graduate with four admission tickets and livestream each graduation for other family members who couldn’t attend in person. In fact, they will not only livestream the ceremony so that your families can watch it while it happens, but we will also capture the event and post it on the district’s YouTube channel, LexOne Video site and website.
At each school, the stage will be set up in the end zone. The student graduates will sit on the field, while their four guests will sit in the home and visitor sides bleacher seats.
To do this, however, the district is changing the dates and times of their graduation ceremonies.
Pelion High School’s graduation takes place on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at 8 a.m. at the PHS stadium. This is a regular school day. However, the district says they can work around that.
Gilbert High School graduation takes place on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 8 a.m. at the GHS stadium. This is a half-day for students but again, they will work around that.
White Knoll High School graduation will occur on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 8 a.m. at WKHS stadium. There is no school for students that day.
Lexington High School graduation takes place on Friday, June 11, 2021, at 8 a.m. at LHS stadium. There is no school for students that day.
River Bluff High School graduation will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 8 a.m. at RBHS stadium.
Should there be a weather delay, they will make up any graduations beginning Sunday and using the following days.
Rain Dates:
Sunday, June 13, 2021, rain cancellation make-up day
Monday, June 14, 2021, rain cancellation make-up day (teacher work day, no school for students)
Tuesday, June 15, 2021, rain cancellation make-up day (teacher work day, no school for students)
Wednesday, June 16, 2021, rain cancellation make-up day (no teachers or students)
Each principal will send more specific information about arrival times, masks, traffic flow, dress code, etc., before graduation.
Hill concluded her email message by saying, “Seniors, we know how difficult this is for you with the loss of so many traditions and time with your peers. However, we believe that you and your accomplishments are important. I look forward to seeing you at graduation.”
