High School graduation May 26
Hancock County High School’s graduation ceremony takes place May 26, starting at 6 p.m. at Schafer-Glover Field. The ceremony is an in-person event, but not open to the general public. The school plans to give each graduating senior five tickets for the graduation ceremony. The seniors then give these tickets to the people they want to attend their graduation. If a person does not have a ticket, he or she cannot attend the event.
At this time, this year’s graduating class of 2021 contains approximately 100 students. Compared to the past few years, the class is smaller. Over the past five years, approximately 120 students graduated yearly from Hancock County high school.
Last week Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear relaxed the mask mandate related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the high school graduation takes place outdoors, attendees do not need to wear masks, but social distancing requirements remain in effect.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled graduation ceremonies last year, the school district held a parade in the students’ honor. This year’s class liked the idea of a parade, and also requested one for their class. This year’s graduating parade takes place this Sunday, may 23 starting at 4 p.m.
Line-up for the parade starts at 3 p.m. at Hancock County High School, with departure at 4 p.m. The first leg of the parade winds through Windward Heights Subdivision, and then goes to Hawesville where the parade goes down Main Street. From there the parade goes to Lewisport and travels down Fourth Street to Pell Street and turns on Pell Street.
In addition to the high school, the middle school and two elementary schools also plan to hold graduation ceremonies, with North Hancock Elementary School holding its event today, starting at 5:30 p.m. North Hancock graduates 90 fifth graders.
There are three fifth grade classes at North Hancock, and each class receives a graduation ceremony. Each of the graduation ceremonies last 30 minutes.
The middle school graduation ceremony takes place May 24. Like the high school, each eighth grader gets five tickets to hand out to friends and family for the event. The ceremony takes place at Schafer-Glover Field on the high school campus, starting at 6 p.m. Since the ceremony takes place outside, attendees do not need to wear a mask, but must observe social distancing requirements. The eighth grade graduating class consists of approximately 130 students.
South Hancock Elementary School’s graduation ceremony consists of a drive-thru event starting at 5:30 p.m. on May 25. Graduates cycle through the event in five-minute increments, SHES Principal Jennifer Howe said. The graduating class consists of approximately 35 students.
Vehicles are to come to the front porch area of the school, where the teachers meet the students with their diploma and any rewards or certificates the student earned. Howe said students could get out of their vehicle to take a picture with their teacher if they want, and the family is encouraged to take pictures.
Since the event takes place outside, masks are not required. Howe said parents and/or guardians are encouraged to decorate their vehicles to celebrate graduation.
By Ralph Dickerson
