Although seniors missed out on their last few months in school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rescheduled events will allow them to leave on a semi-normal note.
All Cole County schools have rescheduled graduation dates, and some schools have rescheduled other events such as prom.
Jefferson City School District
The Jefferson City School District announced in late April its graduation had been tentatively rescheduled to June 12. The ceremony likely will be around 7 p.m. to avoid summer heat, Communications Director Ryan Burns said.
If social distancing guidelines remain in place, the ceremony will be postponed to July 10. The district will notify families by May 22 about whether the June date will be viable, Burns said.
The district has not yet made decisions on prom, baccalaureate and awards night. District leaders are waiting to see if further social distancing guidelines will be released in the next few weeks.
Families and students expressed in a survey that graduation was most important to them, so that was the district's top priority.
"If conditions allow for events like baccalaureate or prom to be held, we will do our best to make that possible," Burns said.
Helias Catholic High School
Helias Catholic High School's graduation is scheduled at 7 p.m. June 19 at the Crusader Athletic Complex. There will be a baccalaureate Mass before the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. for graduates only.
Graduates will be seated 6 feet apart for both events. Each graduate is allowed four guests who will be seated 6 feet apart in the bleachers.
Five graduates are leaving for the military before the graduation date, so there will be a small ceremony for them May 21. They will be honored on the football field and receive their diplomas that night. Seniors and faculty are invited to attend, but they must sit 6 feet apart.
All other Helias events were canceled. School leaders determined that following the current social distancing guidelines would not be feasible at prom, Communications Director Sandy Hentges said.
Calvary Lutheran High School
Calvary Lutheran High School will hold a socially distanced, by-invitation-only graduation at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Calvary gymnasium.
Calvary Lutheran previously announced its graduation would be June 6, but administrators decided to change the date after Missouri's stay-at-home order ended May 3.
All other Calvary Lutheran High School events were canceled.
Lighthouse Preparatory Academy
Lighthouse Preparatory Academy's graduation is scheduled at 2 p.m. June 20 at Concord Baptist Church.
Due to space limitations and social-distancing guidelines, seniors can invite up to 14 guests.
The Lighthouse Preparatory Academy administrative team will also provide lunch for the seniors in the gym from 1-2 p.m. Saturday. Seniors should meet in the front parking lot of Concord Baptist Church at 11:45 a.m., and teachers are invited to enter the school building with the seniors at noon to say goodbye and give their well wishes.
Lighthouse Preparatory Academy will also have a senior celebration from 6-8 p.m. June 19 in the school gymnasium. Due to space limitations and social distancing guidelines, seniors can invite up to 11 guests.
There will be hand sanitizer available at Lighthouse Preparatory Academy's events, and administration is encouraging all individuals or family groups to stay 6 feet apart from others. Administration asks that participants not attend if they are sick or if they are concerned about being in a group.
Blair Oaks R-2 School District
The Blair Oaks R-2 School District announced in late April its graduation had been rescheduled to 7:30 p.m. June 20 at the Falcon Athletic Complex.
The senior parade is scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday, prom at 8 p.m. June 6 and senior breakfast at 8:30 a.m. June 19.
Cole R-5 (Eugene) School District
The Eugene High School graduation will be at 2 p.m. June 14 at the high school track.
Each graduate is allowed 10 guests.
Sections will be marked along the track for families to sit at an appropriate distance away from others. These sections are first-come, first-served. Bleachers will be available, and guests may bring lawn chairs.
The Eugene school district originally canceled prom, but contact from the senior class convinced them to reschedule prom to 6 p.m. June 5 at Capital Bluffs Event Center.
Project Prom will be after prom at the same location. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and there will be no entry allowed after 6 p.m. Project Prom will include unlimited mini golf and other activities. Prom/Project Prom costs $25 per person, and formal attire is not required. RSVP is required at coler-v.k12.mo.us before May 27.
Cole R-1 (Russellville) School District
Russellville High School's graduation is tentatively scheduled from 6-8 p.m. June 27.
Prom was rescheduled to 8 p.m.-midnight June 20 at Reinhardt Circle.