East Twin Cities

Stillwater Middle School issued the following announcement.

The Stillwater Area High School virtual commencement ceremony will premiere “LIVE” on YouTube, Facebook and Valley Access Cable Channel 15 at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. The video will be embedded here along with links to YouTube and Facebook. Download digital invitations to let your family and friends know via social media or email.

This year’s graduates have proven they are resilient, adaptable and Stillwater Strong! We’re so proud of the more than 650 students who will graduate from Stillwater Area High School this year for all they’ve overcome. 

On Friday, May 8, 2020, Governor Walz, in conjunction with the Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Public Safety, established guidelines with specific respect to high school graduation ceremonies. These guidelines do not allow for in-person ceremonies or public gatherings of any size, but instead, direct schools to hold virtual graduation ceremonies.

We recognize our students, families and the entire Pony community are missing out on the social aspects of graduation this year. We want to do our best to give graduates and families as much of that experience virtually as possible.

So what will a virtual graduation look like for the Class of 2020?  

• The Stillwater Area High School commencement ceremony will premiere “LIVE” on YouTube, Facebook and Valley Access Cable Channel 15 at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. 
• You’ll be able to post comments throughout the ceremony to engage with graduates and send messages of congratulations.
• There will be a student speaker and all of the traditional elements of an in-person commencement, with a few unique elements worked in.
• Each student’s name will be called and their photo will appear during the “roll call” portion of the ceremony.
• We will use the #PonyGrad20 so that families can share photos and video, and celebrate in real time via social media. This is the one time during a graduation event that families will be encouraged to ring cow bells, blow air horns, scream and shout as their favorite graduate’s name is called! Share those reactions online!
• Students will receive digital invitations to download and share with friends and family via social media or email so they can celebrate with those who are not with them at home.
• Caps and gowns will be available for pick up on May 26 and 27 so grads can celebrate in style!

In an effort to personalize the commencement experience for our students, we are also exploring the possibility of hosting small group, online recognition throughout the day on Saturday, May 30. Should conditions allow for it and graduates and families express an interest, an additional event may be planned this summer.

Original source can be found here.