Addison Obtains 100 Percent Participation at 2020 Graduation

Addison High School graduate Emerson Hough enjoys the ride down Main Street in Addison following the graduation ceremony on Sunday.  Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV News.

By Jeff Steers
JTV News

(June 1, 2020 10:34 AM) If Addison High School wanted 100 percent participation at the 2020 graduation ceremony, the show had to go on.

One of the 50 graduates was shipping off to the United States Marine Corp on Monday.

So, the graduation – with a few new twists – was held in front of the high school on Sunday afternoon.

ACS Superintendent Steve Guerra said the school had to make provisions for the COVID-19 pandemic in the school’s preparation for the event. He said they used social distancing, masks, and sprayed down areas after each of the graduates received his/her diploma.

Members of the 2020 class at AHS pulled up in cars and were given a rose. Their name was announced and Guerra awarded diplomas to all 50 graduates.

Schools in Michigan were closed permanently in April by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer because of the pandemic.

Guerra said there was no options left in order to have full class participation.

“It was not something we could have waited for,” Guerra said.

The governor has yet to allow meetings of more than 10 people to occur in the state. Some districts have scheduled graduations for late July and early August hoping for the best.

“We have one of our students headed to the Marines tomorrow (June 1) and others that will be heading out in July and August to college,” Guerra said.

A parade was held following the commencement ceremony. 

Hundreds lined the local “homecoming parade route” to commemorate the 2020 graduates.

The event was simulcast on Adrian radio station Q95 so those waiting on the parade route could hear as each graduate was announced. The Lenawee County Intermediate School district also videoed the event for broadcast at a later date.