Solon Schools Plan Month Of Festivities For Graduating Seniors

SOLON, OH — The Solon Schools are finding creative ways to celebrate their graduating seniors. The district is planning a graduation parade, a "virtual wall" and other festivities to cheer on the Class of 2020.

"The end of the school year brings many important celebrations for students and families. We are working to bring meaningful closure to the school year for all of our students," the district said in a statement.

Families around Solon have been asked to decorate their doors and windows to honor their graduating students. Then, this week, the district will create a virtual display highlighting the future plans of graduating students — whether that's college, military service, safety forces or joining the workforce. That display will go live on Friday.

On May 28, the day that would have been graduation, there will be a "Pomp & Circumstance Graduation Parade." Graduates and their families will ride in their cars through a decorated parade route that ends on the Solon High campus.

"Solon teachers and staff members will be parked and socially distant along the parade route on school property to cheer on the graduates. The parade will culminate in front of the school, where our 414 graduates will receive their diplomas and have a professional photo taken to commemorate this important milestone," the district said.

A virtual graduation ceremony will be held June 11. The festivities will include all of the traditional elements of a graduation, including the reading of names, student speeches, moving of tassels and cap tossing. A link to the ceremony will be shared with the entire community.

"The circumstances of the pandemic have impacted so many events and programs important to our students and their families. As we work to implement the events we can, such as the Pomp & Circumstance Graduation Parade, we do so putting the health and safety of students, families, staff and the community first," the district said.