Horry County Schools has determined how it will handle 2020 graduation ceremonies
Horry County Schools has settled on virtual graduations as a way to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2020 graduates in its nine different attendance areas.
The announcement by district superintendent Dr. Rick Maxey on Wednesday followed S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s declaration earlier in the day that schools in the state will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year and instruction will remain online and at home. McMaster initially closed K-12 schools on March 15 due to the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.
“While you, your families, and all of HCS desire traditional ceremonies, in light of the governor’s closure of public schools, our HCS principals and I agree that the safest and most practical way for honoring each of you is for our graduations and our senior ceremonies to be conducted virtually,” Maxey said in a post on the district’s website.
Maxey said individual school principals and leaders will determine what will be included in their own graduations.
“Horry County Schools has nine different attendance areas, each with its own high school, and likewise, each with its own community, history, and traditions,” Maxey said. “Therefore, each high school and secondary program will create ceremonies that feature you and celebrate your high school experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations, while reflecting those special traditions that are unique to your school.”
The virtual graduations and senior ceremonies will be pre-recorded and will be posted on each school’s website on the day and time that the ceremony is scheduled. Principals will be sharing specifics with students in the coming days.
Maxey said senior course work must be completed and finalized by May 15.
Over the final two weeks of the scheduled academic year that ends June 3, the district will collect materials such as textbooks, digital devices, musical instruments, uniforms, etc., and students will have an opportunity to collect their personal belongings. Schools will inform parents and students the dates that they will be assigned to do that while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The Class of 2020 will be honored throughout May on websites and social media. The first event on May 1 will be #BeTheLight, for which schools will turn on their stadium lights at 20:20 military time (8:20 p.m.) for 20 minutes. Citizens are encouraged to join in by turning on porch lights.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 9:01 PM.
