Wilkes Schools Set Graduation For Mid-July
Byrd makes decision based on senior survey results
NORTH WILKESBORO-A majority of high school seniors in Wilkes County said they wanted to delay graduation and the district listened. Late Thursday, Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Mark Byrd announced that graduation ceremonies won’t take place until mid-July, adding that he hoped the delay would allow for more “traditional” ceremonies.
“With over 73 percent of the members of the Class of 2020 who completed surveys saying that this is what they wanted, it made our decision very easy,” Byrd said. “Our seniors feel this is in everyone’s best interest and we plan to honor their wishes. They clearly want to be able to share their accomplishment with friends and families, so our hope with this delay is that it may give them the opportunity to do so.”
Under Byrd’s plan, the five high schools will hold ceremonies during the weekend of July 17 to 18. He added that safety is the first priority and if the situation with COVID-19 changes, the district will postpone graduation further into late July or early August. Even though graduation ceremonies are delayed, officials at the Wilkes high schools said they would continue honoring seniors as the semester draws to a close.
“We look forward to celebrating with our graduates in the near future,” said Wilkes Early College High School Principal Michelle Shepherd. “Regardless of the here and now, it does not diminish the sense of pride we have for all of their accomplishments. It just means we get to celebrate longer!”
Delaying the graduation ceremonies does present some challenges. For those seniors who joined the military, boot camp won’t be postponed. And there is a concern some employers may not be able to let students off work for ceremonies, depending on the time. Byrd addressed those issues in his statement, saying he believed all students from the senior class could be honored.
“I feel comfortable that our principals and schools will find ways to celebrate these graduates at some point, even if it is later in the year,” Byrd said. “The Class of 2020 is clearly a special group of students, and we will continue to recognize them for what they have accomplished and will accomplish in the future.”
Exact dates and times for each school’s graduation ceremony has not been set. Those are expected in the coming weeks.
Brian Carlton is the editor for NWNC Magazine. He can be reached at brian.carlton38@gmail.com.
