West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt says that they have come up with a way to give high school seniors some closure despite the Covid pandemic. The Mayor says the last day of school for the class of 2020 will be May 29th. Senior Activities will begin on June first with the students receiving caps and gowns for a virtual Class Night Presentation on June 4th. The event will be televised on Community Access TV and include the announcement of the Valedictorian among others.
On June 6th and 7th the Seniors will take their ceremonial walk across the stage at The Big E. get their diplomas and be congratulated by the Mayor and other officials. That event will be televised as well.
The Graduation Committee felt it was essential to commemorate the original date for graduation, June 7, and offer the students an opportunity to walk across the stage on “their weekend” in the Coliseum at the Big E, the traditional venue for West Side Commencements.
The Mayor says there will be one last event. The Seniors will have their last event of their high school careers at Clarke Field for what is described as a “traditional ceremony.” That event will be held in mid August.
Mayor Will Reichelt says there whether there can be a traditional ceremony in August will be decided by the Governor and the progress being made in the Covid Crisis.