Hempfield Area details in-person graduation, releases virtual ceremony

Hempfield Area graduates will be able to walk across the stagenext month, but the commencement ceremony will be far from normal.

Scheduled for July 18, the event will take place in Spartan Stadium, a decision made after a survey gave students three options: hold graduation at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds, have two ceremonies that limit the number of guests attending the event or hold a ceremony with only graduates in attendance.

According to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, students largely chose the second option. The first ceremony will start at 4 p.m. and another will follow at 7 p.m. In order to limit the number of people to 250, only two family members are permitted per student. Tickets mailed to students will designate the time and assign a seating section.

“We realize the restriction in the number of guests creates a hardship for many families,” Wolicki wrote in a letter to parents. She noted that both ceremonies will be streamed online “to ensure all students have the opportunity to see their peers, as well as to ensure all family members have the opportunity to see their loved ones.”

Guests attending the event, along with graduates, are required to wear a mask while on school district property, including during the ceremony. Graduates will be spaced 6 feet apart.

District officials also put together a virtual graduation ceremony featuring graduation speakers, who will repeat their speeches at the July ceremony.

“They did a wonderful job and I am certain no one will mind hearing their speeches again, if they viewed the virtual ceremony,” Wolicki said.

The ceremony was filmed with the help of Cornerstone Ministries, a Murrysville-based church, because of their stage and recording ability, Wolicki said.

A rain date for the in-person ceremony is scheduled for July 19.