Mt. Pleasant graduation set for May 23

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant Community High School has announced its plans for graduation and commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021.

The high school is planning the commencement ceremony for Mapleleaf Athletic Complex to allow for unlimited attendance for the graduation.

If the weather turns bad. then the ceremony will be moved to the high school gym where each senior will get five tickets for attendees. Audience members will be required to mask and asked to social distance at both locations.

The ceremony itself will start at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, May 23, at one of the locations, if weather comes into play it will be announced close to the date, according to high school Principal Todd Liechty’s presentation to the school board meeting Monday night.

In an added twist, masks will be optional for the graduating class during the ceremony. The decision was made by the school board at Monday night’s meeting.

According to Liechty, the reasoning behind the switch up would be because of the social distancing on the field, and because students wouldn’t be infecting other underclassmen.

If the ceremony is held in the high school gym, then masks would be required due to closer proximity to the audience.

In other events for seniors, the baccalaureate will occur on Wednesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the gym.

The senior awards night, where scholarships and awards for seniors are announced, will occur soon after the conclusion of baccalaureate.