Each member of the SHS Class of 2020 is invited to wear a cap and gown and walk across the stage to receive their diploma from Starkville High School for a private graduation ceremony with up to four family members.
Broadcast Media Group, a professional production company, will film each senior as he/she walks across the stage to accept his/her diploma. Individual video segments will be edited together into a full graduation ceremony which will include student speeches, presentation of valedictorian and salutatorian, national anthem, and other traditional elements of SHS’s graduation program.
Bruckner’s Photography will also be photographing each graduate on stage as he/she is awarded his/her diploma.
The District will host a Facebook premier of graduation on Friday, May 22, at 6 pm. While a traditional graduation ceremony as seniors and their family members have experienced in previous years is not an option for the SHS Class of 2020, the videotaping of graduation allows us to provide graduates with a special experience that can be shared with their families on the original date and time for graduation to celebrate this milestone.
The video of graduation will also be available on the District’s YouTube channel following the premier. In addition, each member of the SHS Class of 2020 will receive a complimentary DVD of the graduation ceremony. The DVD’s will be available for pickup at SHS in June.
The videotaping of each senior’s individual graduation is scheduled for May 11 – 13. Other elements of graduation will be filmed on May 14.
Normal graduation attire is required. Please wear appropriate shoes. Flip flops and house shoes are not appropriate. Gum is not allowed. Sunglasses are not allowed. Balloons and flowers are not allowed inside Greensboro Center. Cell phones must be left with your family members while you proceed down the aisle for your graduation walk across the stage to receive your diploma.
The district will follow all social distancing guidelines and safe practices during the videotaping of graduation. Students and their family members will be required to remain in their car until their designated filming time.
Members of the SHS faculty and administration along with our District security team will be assisting and directing students and families as you arrive. Please adhere to all guidelines and directions when you arrive at the Greensboro Center for your individual graduation ceremony.
There will be District personnel holding doors to limit touching of surfaces. There will also be hand sanitizer available. Our custodial team will be present to clean and disinfect routinely.
We will follow the traditional order of graduates with Valedictorian and Salutatorian leading the procession followed by AP Scholars and alphabetical order of graduates.
As you walk up the steps into the Greensboro Center, you may stop on the steps for a photo of yourself and your family. Please be mindful we are on a schedule. Please proceed when your name is called.
If it is raining, graduates will wait with their families on the lower level of the Greensboro Center.
The graduation schedule will be emailed to parents and graduates by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 29.
Please pick up your cap and gown from Herff-Jones on Wednesday, April 29, between 11 am and 2 pm at SHS in the back parking lot. The fee is $53 for your cap and gown. If you have not already paid this fee, you will need to do so before you can pick up your cap and gown.
SHS is also hosting a drive-thru Senior Signing Day celebration on Friday, May 8, from 12 until 2. Seniors will pick up their stoles and honor chords at this time for graduation. If you would like to participate in Senior Signing Day, please click on the link below to complete the required form and upload your college or military letter of acceptance. You must complete the form and provide a letter of acceptance to participate in Senior Signing Day.
We will continue to share information with you within the next week as final details and logistics are confirmed for graduation and Senior Signing Day.
All of us are struggling with some level of disappointment about how Covid19 has impacted the end of the school year, but we are incredibly proud of each member of the SHS Class of 2020. We admire the way your class has embraced this difficult time as part of your historical graduation year. We will never forget this time together!
Best,
Your Jacket Family
Dr. Peasant
Mr. McDonnall
Mrs. Neal
Dr. Hogan
Mrs. Roberson
