Othello High School to hold graduation ceremonies

OTHELLO — Graduation ceremonies for the Othello High School Class of 2020 are scheduled for 6 p.m. July 17 at Huskie Stadium behind the high school, 340 S. Seventh Ave.

Ed Petersen, Othello School District director of communications, said district officials conducted a survey of seniors in the spring, giving them some options in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which closed schools in March. Seniors opted to delay graduation to July in the hope of a more traditional ceremony than would have been possible in May or June. But the outbreak hasn’t subsided, so graduation won’t be traditional. “Kind of a drive-thru graduation,” Petersen said.

The class has been divided into groups of 15, and each group has been assigned a time to arrive at the field. Each family is allowed one vehicle, and families are encouraged to decorate them.

Three vehicles at a time will drive out on the track; seniors will get out, be directed to one of two stages and receive their diploma. Two family members can get out of the car and go to a designated area to take pictures.

The ceremony itself will be livestreamed on the district’s social media. The valedictorian, salutatorian and other speeches will be recorded and will be part of a graduation video.