This unique year will have a most unique graduation at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 23.
Forty-four THS graduates will march up to a table on the Thorndale baseball field and receive their diplomas as the Class of 2020 participates in a “no contact” commencement ceremony.
“It’s a hybrid between a drive-in and in-person ceremony,” TISD Supt. Adam Ivy said, noting the district has put together a plan which “at least gives our students the best possible graduation experience under the rules and regulations that we are working with.”
Reason is, of course, the COVID-19 situation.
VAL AND SAL—Also, the TISD has announced its honor graduates for 2020.
Valedictorian is Ron Meaker, son of Todd and Melissa Meaker. He compiled a 111.92 average in his four-year academic career at Thorndale High.
(Averages of higher than 100 are possible due to “weighted” academic courses.)
Salutatorian is Mason Drumm, son of Mark and Jennifer Drumm. His fouryear average was 110.12.
Others designated as honor graduates were listed as follows, in alphabetical order (Thorndale ISD does not release average for any but the top two):
• Garrett Bernstein, son of Michael Bernstein and Kassie Daniell.
• Shannon Hadd, the daughter of Raymond and Angela Hadd.
• Landri Leschber, daughter of Wayne and Stacy Leschber.
• Jayci Martinka, daughter of Chad and Jennifer Martinka.
• Madison Moody, the daughter of Brian and Heather Moody.
• Corbin Preusse, son of Brian and Diane Preusse.
• Riley White, daughter of Shane and Paige White.
HOW IT WORKS— Here is how the hybrid graduation will work Saturday morning, May 23, according to Supt. Ivy.
“First, this graduation is voluntary and no student or staff member is required to participate,” Ivy said.
Vehicles may begin arriving at the baseball field parking lot at 8:30 a.m. “Each student will be allowed to have one vehicle come to the graduation,” Ivy said. All graduates will be pro
All graduates will be provided with a school-colored mask for the ceremony. “The mask must be worn from the time the graduate leaves their vehicle until they return to it except for the time they walk across the stage for a photo,” Ivy said. Vehicles may only
Vehicles may only approach the field via Jenke Street from the west side of the field. “All other entrances will be closed,” he said.
The student will get out of the vehicle, enter the field and go directly to his or her seat.
Family members will drive to their spot behind the center field fence (see above) and park.
Parking spots will be assigned ahead of time.
FAMILIES—Park ing tickets will be provided to the students when they come to the campus to turn in Chromebooks, uniforms and other items on Friday (May 15).
Ivy said the ticket will also contain additional information about health concerns and under what conditions a person should not attend graduation.
Family members may stay in their vehicles, or sit in front of them, but should stay in their assigned spaces.
“These spaces will be wider than the normal parking spaces,” Ivy said.
David Hall, school board president, will livecast the ceremony from the Thorndale ISD Facebook page, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
“Once the ceremony begins, students will stay in their seats on the field until their names are called and they will then make their way to the stage to get their diplomas,” Ivy said.
“Once the ceremony is over, students will stay in their assigned seats, then be dismissed one at a time to meet their family vehicle at the gate,” he said.
PARADE—Immediately following the ceremony a parade will be held with vehicles containing the new THS graduates.
Ivy said Thorndale police and volunteer firefighters will lead the parade through town and residents are invited to sit in their yards to cheer the graduates on.
If the ceremony is rained out May 23, districts are not allowed to move indoors so the ceremony will be scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, May 24.
“If both days are rained out graduation will be re-scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25,” he said.
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