By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
LINWOOD — Mainland Regional High School will hold two in-person graduation ceremonies, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the Mustang Corral.
The 4 p.m. ceremony will recognize and celebrate students with last names starting with A through K. The 7 p.m. ceremony will be for students with last names starting with L through Z. Specific information regarding seat assignments and location as well as arrival times will be specified on the tickets each graduate receives.
Each graduate is permitted to be accompanied by two guests, who will sit on the field with the graduate.
Graduates with split or divorced parents that are concerned about having both biological and/or step-parents at the ceremony should contact Vice Principal Javhan O’Neal at joneal@mainlandregional.net to make arrangements.
“We apologize in advance, but limitations on guests are required as part of the district’s in-person graduation plan that has been approved by the Linwood Police Department, Linwood Office of Emergency Management and the Atlantic County Department of Health,” Chief School Administrator Mark Marrone wrote in a letter to students.” Additional guests will not be permitted on the grounds of the high school. Furthermore, the bleachers will be closed to additional guests, family members and the public to ensure compliance with the district’s approved in-person graduation plan.”
Caps and gowns are the preferred attire at the ceremony. However, acknowledging the extreme heat of July, the school asks that graduates dress comfortably but appropriately for the ceremony in the event that the weather creates a problem wearing a cap and gown.
All attendees will be required to wear masks and remain 6 feet apart throughout the ceremony. Graduates and their guests can remove their masks for pictures when the graduate is awarded his or her diploma and their name is announced.
Professional photographers will be taking pictures of each graduate and their guests as diplomas are awarded and names announced. The district is purchasing an 8×10 photo for each graduate to commemorate the achievement.
Graduates whose guests are disabled or have accessibility issues and parking concerns should contact O’Neal.
Tickets for the in-person graduation ceremonies were to be mailed home the week of July 1. Tickets will include seat locations and the graduate’s place in the line of march, which will correspond to their assigned seat location.
Graduates and their guests should park in the senior parking lot or on the streets surrounding the school when they arrive. The lots directly adjacent to the high school will be closed for preparation and staging. Pre-approved disabled parking for guests is in the parking lot in front of Mustang Way.
Students should go to the pond side of the high school to take their position in the line of march. Faculty will help graduates find their places.
Guests should proceed to the Mustang Corral and follow directions to access their assigned seats for the ceremony. Faculty ushers will direct and assist guests to their seats on the field.
Traditionally, members of the administration and Board of Education distribute diplomas, but to limit contact and adhere to distancing guidelines, guests will award diplomas this year.
When graduates and guests arrive to their assigned seats, a Mainland Regional High School diploma cover will be on the graduate’s assigned seat. The diploma cover will be used for pictures during the ceremony. Graduates will pick up their actual diplomas after the ceremony as they exit the facility.
At the end of the ceremony, graduates and their guests will be directed toward a pre-assigned picture location on each side of the main podium for graduates to hear their names announced and for guests to award the diploma cover.
After the picture has been taken, graduates and guests should exit the Mustang Corral and proceed toward Mustang Way for contactless diploma pick up.
Graduates and their guests will not be permitted to celebrate on the field after the ceremony.
Graduates who do not want to participate in the ceremony should contact Kim Andrien at kandrien@mainlandregional.net to make arrangements to pick up their diploma prior to July 9.
Rain date is July 10.
