East Aurora High School will celebrate the Class of 2020 with a virtual graduation ceremony. The online event will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 23.
The virtual graduation event is being held in response to the current challenges surrounding the COVID-19 global health crisis. The May 22 traditional graduation ceremony was postponed and is currently rescheduled to take place August 1 at Northern Illinois University.
Although there is no clear indication on whether it will be possible to hold a traditional ceremony in August, a committee of East High leadership, including students and parents, all wanted to be certain the Class of 2020 was honored for their accomplishments.
“While we know that the virtual event doesn’t make up for an in-person graduation ceremony, we still want to celebrate and honor the resilient Class of 2020,” said Jon Simpson, principal at East High School. “Moving forward with the virtual graduation gives us a safe opportunity to celebrate.”
East High School is a partner with Herff Jones, in collaboration with technology partners StageClip and MarchingOrder, to hold the virtual graduation ceremony and recognize this year’s graduates.
Seniors will soon be contacted by Herff Jones and its partners through their District 131 student E-mail address, with direction on how their photo and information will be collected prior to the final celebration.
The virtual ceremony will include all speeches that would take place in a traditional graduation, as well as recognition of academic awards and honors.
On the day of the virtual graduation ceremony, students, and their families will visit a website hosted by StageClip that will allow them to experience a communal moment while they all watch the ceremony all at once. They will be able to view their photos and hear their names announced as part of a customized, personalized graduation experience.
— East Aurora School District 131