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High School Seniors honored across Acadiana amid COVID-19 pandemic

High School Seniors honored across Acadiana amid COVID-19 pandemic
Posted at 10:18 PM, May 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-13 23:38:08-04

As graduation season continues, Acadiana school districts are finding ways to work around the coronavirus restrictions. At least one school district is changing its plans, and will allow schools to hold more traditional graduation ceremonies.

The Acadia Parish School Board will allow its schools to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies, with social distancing restrictions in place. Midland High will have it's ceremony on Friday, May 22nd, at the school's track facility.

The other high schools will hold their's on Satuday, May 23rd, at their football stadiums.

Orginally, the district was going to hold individual ceremonies for students on their campuses.

The Vermilion Parish School System is the State Fire Marshal's approval of a plan that would allow for outdoor graduation ceremonies.

Interim Superintendent, Brad Prudhomme tells KATC that plan would allow the district's high schools to hold commencement exercises in their football stadiums.

Prudhomme says even if the plan is approved, Gueydan High has opted to stick with the original plan of holding individual ceremonies for its students.,

City leaders in Kaplan are honoring Kaplan High's Class of 2020.

Up and down Cushing Avenue you'll see "Congratulations" signs bearing the names of a graduating senior.

Some are hoping it becomes a new tradition.

Celebrations for the Class of 2020 continue, in St. Landry and Evangeline Parishes as seniors are being honored for their hard work.

The Class of 2020 have missed out on some memorable moments in a traditional way, across Acadiana communities and schools are finding unique ways to mark milestones during the pandemic.

"We wanted to make sure the kids would have something the actual week that they were supposed to graduate, so we just put together some little gift bags for them. Just to let them know that we still love them and we didn't forget about them," said parent, Eva Noel.

Wednesday, seniors at Opelousas High School were given gifts for graduation, and a drive-thru procession on campus Wednesday.

"This is going to give them a little incentive to keep moving forward and understand that we will have a graduation for them and they have to keep working until the finish line is crossed," said Opelousas High School Principal, Ricky Julien.

The celebrations continues at Pine Prairie with seniors having their official graduation ceremony while practicing social distancing.

"We're very proud that we were able to have a graduation in spite of difficulties and challenges that the class of 2020 has faced," said Evangeline Parish Superintendent, Darwin Lazard.

Celebrations, unprecedented as the time for the class of 2020.
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