NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18 — It wasn’t the ceremony they had envisioned, but to the seniors of the East and West Jessamine High Schools, it was better than nothing.
“I just want to give everyone a big hug! This is different, but we’re making the most of it,” said Turner Mcholan, a member of the graduating class.
Jessamine County school officials felt strongly about giving its graduates a proper send-off, and they worked together to devise the best possible plan while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
“It was very important to recognize the students and give them a ceremony that really supports the students for all of their work the last 12 years, and the time they’ve spent working on that diploma,” said district superintendent Matt Moore.
Moore said his office worked with the students, and they came up with a plan to do a car parade. One by one, the students drove down the airfield at the RJ Corman campus and were handed their diplomas. Horns were honked, a helicopter circled above, fire truck ladders were hoisted to hang a sign, and most of all, caps and gowns were worn.
“I’ve always dreamed of putting on the cap and gown,” said Aubrey Crank who’s headed to Campbellsville University in the fall. She said her brother graduated from East Jessamine two years ago and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
She got that chance, thanks to a creative student body, and some cooperative district staff members.
“We can lament the things we didn’t have this year, but we can still celebrate all of their accomplishments,” said East Jessamine principal Chris Hawboldt.
They did an excellent job of that today.
