Albion, Medina announce plans to keep prom – in summer
Districts consider options for graduation ceremonies
Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina graduates move their tassels during graduation on June 22, 2018 in the high school auditorium. This year’s commencement is very much up in the air with the district considering an outdoor ceremony at Vets’ Park if a large indoor gathering isn’t allowed.
Albion and Medina were both planning the annual senior prom for June 12. But during a Covid-19 pandemic, with social gatherings currently limited to 10 people, that doesn’t look likely, even as the state begins phase 1 of reopening.
Medina has announced its prom has been moved to July 22 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Becker Farms in Gasport.
“Everything will remain the same except the date,” the district posted on its Facebook page. “We hope that by the end of July state guidance will enable us to host a proper gathering. We will continue to keep you posted if any other changes are necessary.”
The prom also will be on a Wednesday instead of a Friday.
“We know this year has brought many unforeseen changes and we are trying hard to create those final high school memories,” the school district posted on its Facebook page. “Your class officers, class advisors, teachers, and administrators are working hard to ensure that end of year events are as memorable as possible.”
Albion was again planning to have its senior prom at Hickory Ridge in Holley the second Friday in June.
The district is now looking to have the event on Aug. 6, which would be a Thursday.
Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said he recently met with the senior class officers who said a top priority for the class is to have the prom, even if it is in the summer.
Moving to Aug. 6 still gives seniors, who at that point will have graduated, a chance to go to the prom before many start college.
“Most of the attendees will actually be alumni at that point,” Bonnewell said during Monday’s Board of Education meeting, which was conducted by Zoom videoconferencing.
The district also favored the Thursday option for the prom, to leave open a weekend date for graduation parties.
The prom dates in summer for Medina and Albion are contingent on approvals from the state and Health Department as the state begins to reopen some businesses.
Graduation ceremonies
Albion is looking to have a virtual graduation on June 26, while hoping there can be a large public gathering to honor the seniors later in the summer, Bonnewell said.
The district considered using the football stadium for an outdoor graduation, where students and the crowd could be spaced out. But Bonnewell said the restrooms at the stadium don’t meet the Health Department standards for such an event. The district will meet again soon with Health Department officials to look at options.
“We’re keeping an eye on the possibilities,” Bonnewell said.
But right now a large mass gathering looks unlikely anytime soon.
The district also is working to induct three seniors into the National Honor Society. They must be inducted before they graduate. Once they get their diploma they can’t be inducted into the NHS. The district is working on a ceremony for those three students on May 28.
School officials also are working on the details of Class Night, when scholarships are announced for the seniors.
Medina school officials said no final plans about graduation will be made until at least June 12.
“It is our hope to hold a ceremony containing many of our traditional components, however we do need to make decisions based on state guidelines,” the district posted on Facebook.
The district is looking at five different options for graduation:
- Traditional ceremony held in the high school auditorium on June 26 at 7 p.m.
- If guidelines do not allow an indoor ceremony but would be OK for an outdoor ceremony, Medina will move graduation to Veterans Park on June 26 at 7 p.m. There will be a rain date of June 27.
- If gatherings are not allowed in June, Medina will opt for a traditional ceremony on July 24 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
- If gatherings are not allowable indoors but can be held in an outdoor location, Medina will then hold the ceremony at Veterans Park on July 24 at 7 p.m. with a rain date of July 25.
- If Medina is unable to hold any gatherings in July, then the district will arrange a special event for diploma pick up with a parade in cars through the streets of Medina for graduates on July 24.
“We thank you for all your suggestions and input,” the district posted. “The Senior Class Officers and Senior Class Advisers are working hard to create an unforgettable occasion!”
