FORT MILL, S.C. — Seniors graduating from a high school in the Fort Mills school district will be walking the stage on their home turf this year.
According to an update posted Wednesday on Fort Mill Schools' website, each high school will host graduation ceremonies at their own stadiums simultaneously on Wednesday, June 9 at 9 a.m. This is a change from a previous plan that would have hosted ceremonies at Winthrop Coliseum, which the district says will be unavailable this year due to a construction project starting in May.
Graduates will be able to provide 4 tickets for loved ones to attend in person, and families will be asked to sit together and socially distance from other guests per current CDC and DHEC guidelines. Masks will be required. Those who are unable to attend in-person will be able to live stream the ceremonies, with details to be provided once finalized.
If the 9 a.m. start time is delayed because of rain, ceremonies will instead be held that evening at 7 p.m. that same day. Additional rain dates for Thursday, June 10, and Friday, June 11 are also set, both with 7 p.m. start times.
The district says all high schools will operate on an eLearning schedule on Wednesday, June 9 to accommodate for this plan, allowing staff to be present for ceremonies, assist in managing events, and allowing campuses to be open for guests attending graduations without disrupting the school day. Elementary and high school students will not be impacted.
Each high school will provide specific details for their ceremonies once they are available. The district says plans could change and promised to notify parents as soon as changes are determined.
