In-person graduation ceremony canceled

Mount Horeb will work to create special virtual ceremony

2020 Mount Horeb High School graduates will not take part in an official in-person graduation ceremony, the district has announced. 

A statement issued by high school principal Cody Lundquist states:

"Since March 13th, when we all left the school not knowing what the future would hold, graduation has been at the forefront of our planning and minds. The importance of this day can’t be overstated. On March 13th, we packed up our items, left Mount Horeb High School, and started living through the historical event of the early 21st century. With little insight as to what the future may hold, planning graduation and alternative options has been at the forefront of our minds. When the “Safer at Home” order was put into place, we immediately contacted the Alliant Energy Center to identify a new date, July 26, to hopefully host an in-person graduation. Once additional guidance from Public Health Madison and Dane County was published in their Forward Dane plan (please see pages 10-15), we followed up with Alliant Energy Center to determine if an in-person ceremony was still possible. As you know from our previous communication, we have also been proactively planning for a third option, virtual graduation. Unfortunately, in recent days we have been notified by Alliant Energy Center that we will not be able to use their facility for an in-person graduation. We are sorry. This heart wrenching reality was one we were hoping we wouldn’t have to face; yet, here we are."

Lundquist called the news "truly saddening, as we all so wanted to provide this right of passage to our 2020 seniors."

"We must look forward and start to plan what our next options are within the bounds of the Forward Dane County guidelines," he continued. "Many schools have been doing some amazing and creative in-person activities and these schools are under different constraints as they are in different counties. After reviewing our options and what is possible in the appropriate window that we have, Mount Horeb High School will have a virtual graduation on July 26 at 3:00 p.m.. This graduation option will allow for students to submit a picture or a short video, speeches will be given, and it will be a keepsake for students to have forever. We will be working with a professional production company to put this all together. This company has been working with high schools such as Waunakee and Oregon on their virtual graduation. While we know this will never replace in-person experience, we are confident it will honor you who have worked so hard for this accomplishment. You will be receiving more information and directions with regards to how we will proceed with a virtual graduation. Please keep an eye out for those communications. In the meantime, we continue to marvel at your resilience and fortitude. You represent the very best that Mount Horeb has to offer."

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