Live graduation slated Saturday for Class of 2020
By Lynsi Musselman
After weeks of wondering if it would happen at all, members of the Albany High School Class of 2020 will march out on the Robert Nail Memorial Stadium football field to graduate on Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m.
The traditional cere-mony will look a little different this year with seating spaced out for social distancing and a limited number of family and friends allowed to attend. However, the seniors will be together for only the second time in over two months to receive their diplomas and stand as a class to sing the Alma Mater one last time.
Scholarships totalling more than $200,000 will be given by 40+ churches and organizations.
Saturday’s ceremony will begin with a one-by-one procession onto the field of the 41 participating seniors. Seniors will be seated on the football field in their red cap and gowns, facing the home bleachers.
Singing of the National Anthem will be followed by an invocation by class president Tyler Beard.
Secondary principal Edward Morales will introduce class salutatorian Jaleigh Morales and valedictorian Addison Asher, who will deliver their addresses, followed by recognition of other honor students.
Secondary counselor Jenny Scott will then announce the scholarship winners.
Superintendent Jonathan Scott will confirm the diplomas, which will be given by school board president Robert Montgomery, along with Jenny Scott and Morales.
Class vice president Jaleigh Morales will lead the benediction.
Senior class cheerleaders and Albany Lion mascot will lead the singing of the Alma Mater.
2020 FAQs
•Each graduate’s family will be given 10 tickets for graduation. No one can enter without a ticket.
•Seniors can give their 10 tickets to whomever they wish. However, all guests of the specific senior will be required to sit together in groups of five. This would include a non-family member sitting with family if they were given a ticket.
•The gates at the stadium will open at 9:00 a.m. Saturday.
•Each guest will be screened at the gate. Anyone with any of the identified symptoms will not be allowed entrance. AISD has the right to refuse entrance to the graduation ceremony to anyone that presents a concern for the safety and health of other guests and students.
• Seating has been assigned by random drawing (with exception of special needs seating) to ensure proper social distancing is enforced. The seating chart was given to seniors last week and is available at albanyisd.net.
•Ushers will escort guests to their assigned section, and families are asked to be patient as this may take a little time.
•The graduation cere-mony will be streamed live on the AISD Facebook page.
•Families may spread out on the football field after the ceremony to meet their senior and take pictures, with AISD requesting that social distancing be observed.
•Public restrooms will not be available.
Scholarship Program
Organizations and foundations are giving at least 110 separate scholarships that will be announced during the commencement exercises. This year $207,340 in scholarship funding will be presented to members of the graduating class.
The total includes for the first time, a potential four-year total of $4,000 for each of the Albany ISD Foundation scholarships, which are renewable each semester that a recipient is eligible. In the past, only the first year has been counted in the total.
Honor Students
Addison Kristi Asher, daughter of Stephanie and Sonny Asher, has been named as valedictorian for the Class of 2020.
Jaleigh M’Lynn Morales is the salutatorian. She is the daughter of Melissa and Edward Morales.
Honor students for the class of 2020 are Aubrey Mary Moon, Alayna Jan Koemel, Ruby Grace LeMay, Taylor Elizabeth Scott, Maxwell Ruff Balliew, Tyler Allen Beard, Seth Liles Hale,and Alyssa Breeanne Zuniga.
Graduation Plans and Guidelines
AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott has asked that seniors meet in the west end zone to enter the field for graduation. This will be the same procedure as baccalaureate.
Scott said that family members and guests who have received tickets to attend graduation will sit in the home bleachers of the stadium.
AISD staff members, along with the junior ushers, will be present to guide parking, entering and exiting the stands, and seating.
“At one time we were concerned that we would not be able to have an in-person graduation,” Scott said. “Even though this year’s graduation comes with restrictions and limitations, we are pleased that we can offer the planned in-person ceremony for the seniors. They deserve this at the very least.”
Scott encourages attendees to visit the school website at www.albanyisd.net to read the “Class of 2020 Graduation Plans and Guidelines” that has been posted to help answer questions.
In case of inclement weather, the current plan is for graduation to be postponed until the following Saturday.
