Eunice High School graduates are walking through a year of firsts.
They had a school year in which classes on campus were cut short in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The March shutdown and move to remote learning was a lesson in social distancing to control the spread of a disease.
The Eunice High seniors joined their counterparts from St. Edmund High School on May 15 for a parade on Park Avenue, which was probably a first for the city.
This Friday the Eunice High seniors get their opportunity to walk and receive their diplomas in an outdoor ceremony at the school’s football field.
Principal Mitch Fontenot believes the outdoor ceremony is a first for the high school.
“This should be the first one,” he said of the outdoor ceremony scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday.
In the past, the students had wanted an outdoor ceremony, but it was always held in the school’s auditorium, he said.
The graduation ceremony had been planned for May 15.
The graduates are given four tickets for guests. Seating for the students and guests will allow for social distancing, Fontenot said.
The seniors will be required to wear masks. Their guests will be requested to wear the masks, he said.
Other changes to the ceremony include the usual presenters will be be there because of COVID-19, he said. The presentations will be kept in-house.
Those attending the ceremony will enter the campus through the north entrance.
Fontenot said he is contacting the city about spraying for mosquitoes prior to the event, which is expected to last about an hour for the 160 seniors.
