NORTH PORT (WSNN) – After missing out on many senior events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarasota graduates have one more to add to the list: Graduation.
The Sarasota County School district cancelled all high school graduations. But, it’s not stopping some families on the Suncoast, from celebrating.
North Port High School 2020 Graduate and student body president, Arianna Gonzalez, says it’s been an emotional journey missing out on special events like prom, grad bash, and senior day. So, all she had left to hope for was graduation, but now, that’s been taken away too.
“It was just, it was really sad,” Gonzalez said. “And honestly shocking, because I thought nothing else bad could happen and then they cancelled it.”
On Friday, the Sarasota School District cancelled all Sarasota county high school graduations.
Communication director, Craig Maniglia, says they had to cancel them since the current CDC guidelines are requesting no gatherings of more than 50 people
“While we wish we could hold graduations and support our kids, especially in this trying year, we’re just not able to do that, based on the current situation and the advice from the CDC,” Maniglia said.
School board member, Eric Robinson, adds it’s also because some of the school were going to hold graduations indoors.
“Because some of the schools in North County were not going to be able to graduate utilizing social distancing,” Robinson said.
But, while the schools can’t organize an official ceremony, the community can. North Port residents, Justin Willis and Elaine Allen-Emrich are organizing an ‘Alternate Graduation’ for the North Port High’s class of 2020.
“These are our kids, we got to take care of them,” Willis said.
Willis says they’re planning to hold it on July 16th breaking it up into six ceremonies with about 75 kids in each graduation, to fit everybody in accordance with CDC guidelines. The location is still to be determined.
Each graduate is allowed two guests and other family members who wish to attend will be able to hear a live broadcast on WKDW, a local radio station.
“That way the family members that come that can’t necessarily sit out in the field, they can sit in the car, and be able to watch from the car and be able to hear it in real-time from the radio,” Willis said.
Robinson is supporting this event and Venice High’s community-led graduation, by giving away his entire school board salary.
“They’ve lost so much and so if we have something to give back to them; a culmination of the twelve years, being able to walk across that stage and be recognized for all their hard work, Robinson said. “If we can make that happen, then we should.”
Strict safety measure will be put into place with temperature checks upon entry, spacing out the seating, mask requirements, and more.
Arianna’s mom, Aracely Gonzalez, is asking for the community to come together to make this a special day the graduates.
“We don’t want no drama, no political involvement, this is just for the kids. And we’re doing it for them,” Aracely Gonzalez said.
On Saturday, the North Port High organizers will be holding a planning session day at Olde World Cafe at 9:30 am for families, graduates, and school board members to participate.
Since this isn’t organized by the school, parents and graduates interested in participating need to reach out Willis to participate. Willis does not have access to all the senior contact information.
His contact information is below:
| Justin Willis (941) 237-7907 Justincodywillis@gmail.com |