Principal Gives ECASD Commencement Update; Parents Planning Parade

Discussion regarding the Ellwood City Area School District’s plan for commencement ceremonies continued during the May 14 board of directors voting meeting.

Louise McKinney, mom of a 2020 graduate said the parents are expecting more for their kids. She said if the county phases to green by June 2, she wants the administration to commit to the traditional in person commencement.

High School Principal, Kirk Lape, was in agreement and said he hopes that is a possibility.

“If we go green before June 2, I’m all for it,” he said. “That’s a no brainer.”

Although Lape said such a decision is on the shoulders of Governor Wolf, he truly hopes they are able to have the “normal” ceremony, and that they are ready to go should the situation allow it.

During Monday’s meeting, board president Renee Pitrelli suggested a graduate parade. At that time a parent representative Robin Rogers was in attendance and verified that parents were working with Mayor Anthony Court to organize a graduate parade. Lape said since Monday’s meeting he had been in touch with parents and a parade is in the works. More details about the parade will be released once plans are solidified.

With no other board or parent opposition, Lape, gave an update regarding the school’s plan for commencement activities.

In addition to the plan he had previously announced earlier in the week, Lape said some touches were added to make the 2020 graduation experience special for the seniors.

The plan includes 10-minute time slots for each graduate to have the opportunity to take that coveted walk across the stage to receive their diploma. These “walks” will take place on May 28 and 29. During these time slots, graduates will be able to enter the auditorium front doors with their immediate family/friends (limit ten) and to walk down the aisle and across the stage while their name is read to receive their diploma. The graduate would be dressed in their cap and gown. Any scholarship recognition would also be announced at this time.

According to Lape, in addition to the original plan, Clarks Photography will be in attendance to capture the moment for the families. He said Clarks will also superimpose each graduate into a class photo and a traditional “graduate” montage that will hang in the halls of the school joining decades of Lincoln graduates. Lape said the school has also secured a local videographer who will capture all the pomp and circumstance including all the traditional and much-anticipated speeches from the Valedictorian and Sr. Class President, as well as allowing each graduate to offer a message of his or her own that will be added at the end of the commencement video. Lape also said the choir will participate with a song.

He reiterated an earlier statement saying this will be as close to a traditional commencement ceremony, with one exception: everyone can’t be in the auditorium together at the same time.