Marlin ISD announces MHS and MJA graduations

On May 8, Marlin Independent School District announced their plans for how to move forward with graduation for the Class of 2020.

The Texas Education Agency put out their 2020 Graduation Ceremony Guidelines for Texas Schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic a few days prior.

“As part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas, TEA is providing four different pathways for schools to celebrate their graduating seniors,” said the press release. 

The options were between virtual ceremonies conducted completely online, hybrid ceremonies that would allow students to be recognized in small groups, vehicle ceremonies where each student and their family is honored one at a time, or in-person outdoor ceremonies with a number of restrictions.

“We are committed to honoring our seniors with a graduation ceremony to receive their earned diploma,” said the announcement from MISD.

It will take place on Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m. There will be a senior parade before the ceremony as well, taking place at 5 p.m.

Because Falls County is now above the maximum threshold of five reported coronavirus cases set by Governor Greg Abbott’s Report to Open Texas, extra precautions must be taken to ensure that the district is following all guidelines set by the City of Marlin, Falls County and the State of Texas.

The outdoor ceremony will take place at the Marlin Football field. Seniors will be seated per years past, but will be spread out to follow CDC social distancing guidelines.

Depending on the state of affairs in respect to COVID-19, the district will be deciding closer to the date how to proceed. If the restrictions are as is, with the 25 percent occupancy level, tickets will be provided to students on a basis that follows that limitation. If it has changed by the end of the month, students and their families will be allowed to park in the parking lot while the graduation ceremony is live streamed. 

“If there are heavier restrictions [than those named above], we will live stream the graduation and create a traditional ceremony the best we can,” the announcement reads.

The planned sequence for the ceremony is as follows:

• Senior Procession

• Speakers: Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Keynote Speaker (not yet announced)

• Diplomas presented

• “Turning of the Tassels” led by the Class President

A live stream of the ceremony will be available for viewership both on the Marlin ISD website and the Marlin ISD Facebook page and the district encourages family members and friends who cannot be in attendance due to COVID-19 to share in the event online or to create a virtual watch party for their graduating senior.

MISD also announced information pertaining to the eighth grade graduation at Marlin Junior Academy. It will take place on May 27 at 10 a.m. as a drive-up ceremony. Parents and students are expected to stay in their vehicles. All certificates and awards will be presented to the promoted students.

For the most up to date information on Marlin Independent School District or to view a copy of the MHS or MJA  graduation announcements, head to marlinisd.org and scroll down on the home page.