4 Guests Per HCPSS Student Now Allowed To Attend Graduation

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Graduation guidelines for Howard County Public School System commencement ceremonies have been expanded to include two additional tickets per graduate for a total of four tickets. Each graduate and two guests will be seated in the Merriweather Post Pavilion during the ceremony while the other two guests of the graduate will sit on the grassy area.

Social distancing and masks will be mandatory for all graduates and guests throughout the duration of the ceremony, and protocols are being developed for quickly and safely moving graduates and attendees through the venue before and after each ceremony.

"I am grateful for the continued collaboration of County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball, Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman, and Merriweather Post Pavilion's Jean Parker and Brad Canfield to facilitate as many guests as possible to safely attend commencement ceremonies," HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano said. "Our seniors have missed out on so much this year and I am overjoyed that they will have the opportunity to experience an in-person graduation with family members in attendance."

Jean Parker, Merriweather's general manager, said the facility is "very excited" to host in-person and "well-deserved graduation ceremonies."

"The venue continues to follow state and local guidance in making sure health and safety protocols are maintained," Parker said.

All graduation ceremonies can be viewed live on the HCPSS website at www.hcpss.org and on-demand at any time following the ceremonies. Graduations will also be rebroadcast on the HCPSS cable channel (Comcast 95, Verizon 42 in Howard County). The television rebroadcast schedule will be shared on the HCPSS website once it is finalized.

All ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with the exception of Cedar Lane School, which will be held at the school. The schedule of graduation ceremonies is as follows:
Friday, May 28
10 a.m., Cedar Lane School
3 p.m., Wilde Lake High School
Tuesday, June 1
11 a.m., Mt. Hebron High School
3 p.m., Oakland MIlls High School
7 p.m., Atholton High School
Wednesday, June 2
11 a.m., Marriotts Ridge High School
3 p.m., Centennial High School
7 p.m., Howard High School
Thursday, June 3
11 a.m., Reservoir High School
3 p.m., Glenelg High School
7 p.m., Long Reach High School
Friday, June 4
11 a.m., Hammond High School
3 p.m., River Hill High School