Marion County schools to hold graduation with social distancing, reduced attendance

OCALA, Fla. — While most school districts are planning virtual graduations, Marion County school officials recently announced that next month they will be holding in person graduation ceremonies.

Officials said they reached out to students, parents and community members and overwhelming majority requested to hold graduations in a way as close to normal as possible.

School officials said the ceremonies will be outdoors in football stadiums. Both spectators and graduates will be required to maintain social distancing.

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“They looked forward to this. They've worked hard for 13 years to get to this point, and they deserve to be celebrated,” Kevin Christian, with Marion County Public Schools, said.

Officials said the students will be seated six feet apart on the football fields.

Each graduate will get two tickets for family who will be seated in bleachers, also six feet apart.

"I can only really invite two people,” student Jason Swinehart said. “I already had a list of people who wanted to come and watch. it’s going to be different for sure."

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Students will then be able to pick up their diplomas and have their pictures taken.

Graduates said they feel the coronavirus cheated them out of a normal senior year in some ways.

"We missed a lot of the most fun stuff about senior year so that kind of sucks," graduating senior Ethan Smith said.

Officials said after the ceremony everyone must leave, and no one will be allowed to hang out in groups.

Law enforcement will be there to make sure all the rules are followed.

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