Lincoln Class of 2020 Parade Set For Tuesday; Community Participation Encouraged

June 2 will be a big day for Lincoln’s class of 2020.

Not only will the graduates be featured in a graduate parade, but they will in fact get to have one last moment together in their caps and gowns thanks to the county moving to the green phase.

Lincoln Principal Kirk Lape said before the parade, seniors will gather in the auditorium for the traditional “tassle turn.” At that time the graduates will turn their tassles from right to left signifying their accomplishment. Lape said this activity will be filmed and edited into the commencement ceremony film. Senior Class President Angela Volpe will also give a speech in front of her class.

Following the “tassle turn,” graduates will participate in a parade. Beginning at 7 p.m., the parade route will start at Helling Stadium, proceed down Line Ave. to 5th Street into town and down Lawrence Ave., continue on to the post office then down Crescent Ave. past the high school to Fountain Ave. then right onto 65 toward Ellport and down Golf Ave. then back toward town and across Ewing Park Bridge to five points and will end in the football parking lot.

One of the parent organizers Robin Rogers said the students are looking forward to the parade and hope to see a lot of the faces of the community.

“We would love for all Ellwood City community members to be out in their yards or in town following social distancing rules,” Rogers said. “We thank Mayor Court and the Ellwood City community for helping make our Seniors get something to remember after this trying time.”

Despite the challenges of honoring this year’s graduates, Lape said he believes the process was a success. He said everything the administration had planned for the Commencement ceremony went as planned including the walk across the stage, photographs, filming, the speeches, the scholarship recognition, and family involvement along the way.

“It was definitely the most personable commencement ceremony we’ve ever had,” Lape said citing the attention that was paid to each individual graduate.

He added that extra family members or friends were able to participate in watching each graduate receive his or her diploma this year.

EllwoodCity.org received the following message from a group of Class of 2020 parents: “On behalf of all parents of the graduating Class of 2020, we would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Ellwood City School Board, administration and staff for what a superb job they all did to make graduation special. All the time and effort put in by each individual will never be forgotten. You truly have gone above and beyond and have made a memory our kids will never forget and for that, we are very thankful. We also would like to thank all the teachers and everyone involved in the teacher parade and the delivery of senior signs. This, also, was a priceless memory they will forever hold in their hearts. We LOVE YOU and we will MISS YOU all!”