Clarendon, Hedley plan graduations at Sandell

Clarendon and Hedley High Schools will be holding graduation exercises at the Sandell Drive-In this year as the COVID-19 virus continues to impact lives and activities.

Clarendon High School graduation will be held Friday, May 22, at 8:45 p.m., and Hedley’s ceremony will follow on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Sandell owner John Morrow said Hedley reached out first about using the drive-in to hold graduation and later Clarendon called. Social distancing requirements designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are prohibiting large gatherings of people in places like gyms and auditoriums.

“They are making some really good plans,” Morrow said of the two school. “It’s gonna be different, but it’s better than not having graduation.”

Morrow said the schools will use a gooseneck trailer as a stage, which has been in place for the last few weeks for a community worship service. Both schools are also planning to project images and video on the Sandell big screen.

Clarendon Principal Larry Jeffers said gates will open at 7:45 p.m. for guests, and CHS is encouraging students and parents to decorate their vehicle appropriately. CHS senior parents are also asked to ride in the vehicle with their graduate to ensure they get a good space.

CHS student vehicles will drive forward for the student to exit and then drive to the other end of the stage to pick up the student. Parents can get out of the vehicle when it has reached the other end of the stage and take a picture of the student receiving their diplomas and then return to the vehicle. The student will come on stage, receive their diploma and/or awards, exit the stage, get back into their vehicle and return to their parking space.

Graduation organizers remind everyone that the audio for the service will be broadcast over FM radio. If you are unable to listen to the radio and keep your headlights off, you should bring a portable radio.

Hedley Suprintendent Garrett Bains said participants and guests will remain in their cars at the drive-in but otherwise they would try to have as “normal” a graduation service as possible.

A video will be played on the Sandell screen, and Bains said the school is working on a plan to allow the seniors to come forward, one at a time, to receive their diplomas, since there are only six seniors in the class.