Administrators at Roanoke Rapids High School and Roanoke Rapids Early College High School say they plan to host in-person graduation ceremonies this year provided the positive trends related to COVID-19 continue tracking in the right direction.
“This is the 100th graduating class for Roanoke Rapids High School. We’re really hoping the state mandates will improve by May allowing us to have graduates and their families in our auditorium on graduation day. Of course masks will likely be required and we will have to adhere to the social distancing guidelines,” said RRHS principal Jeff White.
This is also the first graduating class for the Roanoke Rapids Early College High School.
“We have about 30 graduates. We feel confident we can socially distance and allow all of our graduates’ families to attend in person for what we are planning to be a very special night for our first graduating class,” said Tammie Williams, early college principal.
The district plans to live stream both graduations on its YouTube channel.
Roanoke Rapids Early College High School Graduation is scheduled for May 21 at 8 p.m. Graduation exercises for RRHS are planned for May 28 at 8 p.m.
Both schools are moving forward with planning other senior events including prom, awards ceremonies, and the traditional senior picnic.
Additionally, administrators have communicated with students and their families in an effort to get feedback.
Prom is tentatively scheduled for April 17 at Kirkwood Adams Community Center. RRHS Senior Picnic and graduation practice, May 19 and RRHS Senior Awards, May 26 at 1:30 followed by a second graduation practice at 3:30.
The annual Baccalaureate service is being planned for May 23 in the RRHS Auditorium. Scholars Awards will be handed out this year by the classroom teachers.
“All plans are subject to change, but we feel confident we can be creative and at least allow our students to have some sense of normalcy this spring,” said Superintendent Dain Butler.
The district’s elementary schools are planning smaller ceremonies to honor students and traditional spring dances.
“These events may look different and we may have to ask our families to be flexible, but we’re going to do our best to make them happen,” Butler said.
