Hempfield Area to permit more guests at June graduation

Officials with Hempfield Area School District are revising graduation plans in the wake of less restrictive capacity limits going into effect following the Memorial Day holiday.

Scheduled for June 4 at 7 p.m., the graduation ceremony will be held in Spartan Stadium at Hempfield Area High School.

Unlike original plans that limited the number of guests per student to two people, tickets will no longer be issued and there will be no limit on the number of guests permitted to attend.

“I know this is a relief to many families,” Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said during Monday’s school board meeting.

The change comes after Gov. Tom Wolf in early May announced that mitigation orders related to the covid-19 pandemic, including capacity limits, will be relaxed at the end of the month. Capacity limits are currently set at 50% for indoor events and 75% for outdoor events.

According to Wolicki, guests will be seated on both sides of the stadium, allowing them to space out. Professional services will be employed for video and sound, and the event will also be livestreamed for those not able to attend the in-person event.

A rain date is scheduled for June 5 at 7 p.m.

This year’s ceremony comes after district leaders were forced to split 2020 graduates into two groups to permit for social distancing, as well as capacity limits that only allowed for 250 people. Last year, only two family members were permitted per student, and they were assigned seating.

“We’re very excited to be able to have all seniors together on the field for a single ceremony,” Wolicki said.