Members of the Charleston High School Class of 2021 on Friday will gain the distinction of becoming the first to graduate after not having attended a single day of traditional in-person classes during their senior year.
Commencement exercises are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Morgan Freeman Auditorium on campus, and the event is closed to the general public.
Each senior was able to invite up to seven guests for the festivities. No one will be admitted without a ticket.
A state order that remains in effect through the close of the 2020-21 term requires that face masks be worn inside all school buildings. Social distancing protocols will be followed.
Unlike last year’s graduation, which saw seniors enter the auditorium one at a time for a walk across the stage to get their diploma and have a few photos taken before exiting, there will be a formal joint program Friday night.
The order of the program was not made public, but Bryant Watson, president of the East Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees, said it would give seniors a “sense of normalcy” at graduation.
Guests will be seated in the auditorium, Watson noted, and there will be speakers.
Among those who will garner special recognition are academic champions of the Class of 2021.
School valedictorian is Breyona Gammill, the daughter of Yvonne and Carey Gammill.
Tre’Derica Winters, the daughter of Tijuana Weekly and Derrick Winters, is salutatorian.
Class of 2021 honor graduates in addition to Gammill and Winters, according to CHS secretary Jerrerico Chambers, are Keely Buckley, Jahiem Collins, Enochius Harris, Denisha Hayes, Samyia Hope, Mariann McCord, Caitlin Parker, Shaneisha Sargent and Shelby Viars.
Due to COVID-19, the ETSD, as did the West Tallahatchie School District, adopted an all-virtual model of instruction this year.
West Tallahatchie High School is scheduled to host graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 29, at 10 a.m. in the school auditorium.
