It's almost time for another round of graduation ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic. But this year, there's less anxiety and a smoother process since cases are low and schools have adjusted to COVID-19 protocols since last year's ceremonies.
While some Cole County high school graduation ceremonies will be similar to last year's with COVID-19 procedures in place, others will be back to normal.
Jefferson City High School
Jefferson City High School's graduation is noon-2 p.m. May 16 at Adkins Stadium. There will be no attendance limits unless it has to be moved indoors because of rain. The district is encouraging guests to social distance and wear masks, JC Schools communications Director Ryan Burns said.
"We are thankful local conditions are favorable to hosting a graduation ceremony and look forward to celebrating the Class of 2021," Burns said.
If inclement weather prevents an outdoor ceremony, graduation will be held indoors in the gymnasium in two separate groups - one at noon and one at 4 p.m. - at a capacity of 50 percent.
If indoors, each graduate would receive three tickets, and masks would be required. Details regarding which ceremony students will attend if held indoors will be finalized as the event gets closer.
District leaders will make a determination no later than 8 a.m. the day of the event if it needs to be held indoors, Burns said.
Blair Oaks High School
Blair Oaks High School's graduation is 7:30-9 p.m. May 23 at the Falcon Athletic Complex.
There won't be a guest limit unless the ceremony has to be moved to the high school gymnasium due to rain. If it is inside, there will be a ticket system, and the limit will be four guests per graduate.
Blair Oaks normally has an outdoor graduation and has only had to have it inside once in the past 15 years, Superintendent Jim Jones said.
"We want to make sure we are able to make that decision as early as possible in the event that we need to make some changes," he said. "We're hopeful that we're going to have it outside and not have to limit the number of people in attendance."
The stadium has room for about 2,200 people, and graduation ceremonies typically don't fill all the bleachers, Jones said.
Helias Catholic High School
Helias Catholic High School's graduation is 2-3 p.m. May 23 at the Crusader Athletic Complex. If it's raining at that time, it will be postponed to 7 p.m. the same day. If it's still raining at 7 p.m., it will be moved indoors to Fleming Fieldhouse.
Helias' graduation will also be similar to last year's. Whether it's outside or inside, families will be asked to sit in a "pod," or designated spot in the bleachers, to allow for social distancing.
If the ceremony is moved indoors, the number of guests per graduate is limited to four, and masks will be required. If it's outside, the limit is eight, and masks will only be required when guests are walking to their seats.
Helias communications director Sandy Hentges said she expects this year's graduation to run more smoothly than last year's, when people had trouble finding their pods and administrators had to figure out how to have a safe graduation at the start of the pandemic.
"We will be less panicked because we now know what we know and learned a bit about logistics," Hentges said.
Calvary Lutheran High School
Calvary Lutheran High School's graduation is 10-11:30 a.m. May 29 in the school gymnasium.
Families will sit together in designated rows, and each graduate can have about 10 guests. Each family will sit 3 feet apart instead of 6 feet apart like last year.
Executive Director John Christman said he expects there to be enough room to allow for requests for additional guests.
"We're able to fit more people in the gym, and yet, I think we'll be at a comfortable and safe environment," he said.
Calvary Lutheran High School was the first Cole County school to have a graduation ceremony last year.
There's less anxiety about it this year as all Cole County school leaders have met with each other and the Cole County Health Department throughout the year, adjusted to COVID-19 protocols, and were able to keep the buildings open and have other events throughout the pandemic, Christman said.
"Graduation is the first thing we get to repeat from last year, so it's a lot less stressful," he said. "We're not quite as paranoid."
Christman said he looks forward to celebrating the Class of 2021.
"They have been resilient during this time as we have learned together more about the disease but also how we can continue to operate and how life can still happen through adversity - and what a great opportunity for them to learn," he said.
Lighthouse Preparatory Academy
Lighthouse Preparatory Academy's graduation is 2-3 p.m. May 16 in the Capitol Rotunda. There is limited seating, but the school does not have a limit to the number of guests.
Lighthouse Prep's graduation is going to be the same as a normal year. Last year, the only difference was it was at Concord Baptist Church, a different location because it allowed for more social distancing and the Capitol wouldn't allow the event.
Cole R-1 (Russellville) High School
Cole R-1 (Russellville) High School's graduation is 6 p.m. Friday at the football stadium. Superintendent Perry Gorrell said he is asking people to stay with their family groups.
If it rains, the ceremony will be moved to the gymnasium. Since the graduating class is only 42 students, there will not be a limit to the number of guests.
Last year, Russellville's graduation was indoors due to rain, and every student could bring about 10 guests.
Cole R-5 (Eugene) High School
Cole R-5 (Eugene) High School's graduation is 2-3 p.m. May 16 in the high school gym. There will not be a guest limit or COVID-19 precautions.
Last year, the only difference from a normal year was it was held outside on the track, which was difficult because there was no seating or PA system, Principal Mark Richard said.