Conferring of diplomas
Conferring of diplomas to Groveport Madison High School class of 2020 graduates will take place in the front parking lot of the high school on May 23 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Vehicles of graduates’ last names A – F from 9–11 a.m.; graduates with the last names G – L from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; graduates with the last names M – R 12:30– 2 p.m.; graduates with the last names S – Z 2–3:30 p.m.
A 12’ x 20’ stage (with handicap ramps) will be set up between the flag pole and the front entrance of the high school. The staging area will be decorated just as it has been for previous graduation ceremonies. A 40’ x 60’ tent will be positioned over the stage to note the location of the activities and to provide protection from weather.
For safety reasons, only one vehicle per graduate will be permitted to enter the school’s property. All vehicles will enter the high school’s property from Williams Road or Directors Boulevard. They will drive south on Marketing Place, through the district’s transportation parking lots, and enter the high school from the north parking lot (in front of the football field). Following traffic signs and directions from police and staff, vehicles will line up and move toward the front driveway of the high school to receive additional instructions. All persons are to stay in the vehicle at all times. If possible, all persons should wear a protective mask. The graduate should already have his/her cap and gown on in the vehicle before arriving at the front of the high school. When the vehicle arrives at the designated spot (just before the stage), the vehicle will stop, the graduate (already in their cap and gown) will exit the vehicle, and will be given a protective face mask to wear until entering the stage. The graduate will walk to the right side of the stage to await their name being announced by Mr. Foor. At the same time, the family’s vehicle will be directed to pull up in front of the stage so that they have a clear view of their graduate receiving their diploma. Once announced, the graduate will approach the table, pick-up the diploma jacket cover, and turn and face their family’s vehicle. The graduate’s family may take video or photographs from inside their vehicle. No one other than the graduate will be permitted to leave their vehicle.
The graduate will then move to a second location on the left side of the stage where our photographer will take the graduate’s “official graduation photograph.” Once the photograph is taken, the graduate will exit the left side of the stage to return to the family’s vehicle (which has already been directed to move forward to the pick-up location). This process will repeat itself until all graduates have crossed the stage to receive their diploma.
A professional videographer will record the entire event. If the graduate was unable to attend the May 23 ceremony, his/her picture will be included in the video to be shown on June 5. A professional photographer will take a photo of each graduate holding his/her diploma cover. The event will be live-streamed over Facebook and/or the district’s YouTube channel.
The district will provide a protective mask to all graduates as they exit their family’s vehicle. They will be asked to wear the face mask until stepping onto the stage. All staff and volunteers will wear protective masks and gloves at all times, and all participants will observe social distancing protocols.
Virtual graduation
Groveport Madison High School will have a virtual graduation on June 5 at 7 p.m. A video will be made available on the district’s YouTube channel that incorporates the following: music; speeches by the superintendent, principal, student council president, and valedictorians; and presentation of the graduates (conferring of diplomas) from the May 23 ceremony.
If the graduate was unable to attend the May 23 ceremony, his/her picture will be included in the video.
A copy of the official graduation program will be available for free download on the class of 2020 webpage of the high school’s website.
A free download of the graduate receiving their diploma will be available on the class of 2020 webpage of the high school’s website. A link to the photographer’s website also will be provided for anyone wishing to purchase prints of the photographs.
A free download of the entire graduation ceremony (music, pre-recorded speeches, conferring of diplomas, and marking of official graduation will be available on the class or 2020 webpage of the high school’s webpage.
The graduate’s diploma will be mailed to the student’s home address before June 5.
Community-wide celebration
Groveport Madison is proud of the class of 2020, and knows the entire community joins the district in celebrating their accomplishments. The district has taken steps to make this year’s graduation a community-wide celebration of our students and their families. Including yard signs, a Red Ribbon campaign, banners, list of graduates on the front lawn of the high school, a full-page advertisement listing all of our graduates will run in the May 31 edition of the Southeast Messenger, and senior spotlights. If you would like to submit a Senior Spotlight on the district’s Facebook page, complete the online form, at https://www.gocruisers.org/SeniorSpotlight.aspx
Staff and numerous high school underclassmen are sending pictures and personal messages to the class of 2020, which will be shared on the district’s and the high school’s Facebook pages.
Information
All information relating to graduation activities is located on the GMHS website, at www.gocruisers.org/Classof2020.aspx.
