Riverside Local Schools will be one of the first districts in the area to host a graduation ceremony Friday evening, May 15, for the Class of 2020 during the unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic, when typical gatherings in school gymnasiums surrounded by hundreds of friends and family members are no longer an option with social distancing requirements.
District officials stated they are looking forward to the chance to honor the class during the 6:30 p.m. ceremony that will have all the usual elements, but will take place outdoors in the school’s north parking lot in a drive-up style ceremony. The commencement also will be broadcast via the school’s radio station WDEQ 91.7 FM and will be streamed via Facebook Live.
“We doing the best we can considering the circumstances,” Superintendent Scott Mann said. “We love our seniors and we’re excited to celebrate all of their accomplishments. We’re proud of the way they’ve handled this recent crisis.”
Each seniors’ family will be permitted two vehicles for the graduation and are asked to report to the school during their designated time.
When graduates’ names are called to receive their diplomas, they will exit their vehicles one at a time to walk to the stage..
Riverside seniors and their families will be invited to decorate the vehicles for a parade that will follow, traveling through DeGraff and Quincy and led by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.
The parade route is provided on the district’s Facebook page, and residents and businesses along the route also are invited to decorate to help the graduates celebrate.
The district also continues its tradition of inviting the class valedictorian and salutatorian to serve as the featured speakers. This year, that honor goes to Valedictorian Rachel Taylor and Co-Salutatorians Jaci Cron and Kyrsten Poe.
Rachel is a daughter of Carey Taylor and Brent Taylor. Jaci’s parents Lacey Cron and Gary Cron, and Kyrsten is a daughter of Tony Poe and Chrysta Crabtree.
Pastor Michael Mitchell of the DeGraff United Methodist Church also will address Riverside graduates.
“We didn’t realize we were making memories; we just knew we were making friends” is the class motto. Red and blue are the class colors and a white rose is the class flower.
The class officers are: Dora-Kennedie Bryant, president; Faith Roth, vice president; Jordyn Marshall, secretary; and Cody Roach, treasurer.
Pending the completion of state and local requirements, the following students are set to graduate:
Wade Thomas Auflick, Madison Elisabeth-Ann Bell, Dora-Kennadie Sierra Bryant, Xienna Skye Alexander Café, Dylon Jacob Carnes, Colby Lee Kwan Cook, Kaitlyn Nichole Copas, Darrick Donald Cotterman, Katelynn Renee Craig, Jaci Madison Cron, Alejandro, Morano Cruz, Tyler Patrick Keith Davis, Brendan Matthew Duff, Myles Nelson Feasel, Andria Rochelle Ford, Cyan Alexis Fout, Bailey, Garrison Lee Gammell, Levi Hazard Godwin, Jasmine Nichole Gordon, Dravin Marshall Harris, Cameron Jackson Hill, Alexa Marie Holycross, Averey Grant Hudson, Deakon Storm Huston, Denver J. Jackson, Paisley Lynn Jacobs, Peytan Riley Jenkins,
Lauren Elizabeth Johnson, Jordyn Diana Marshall, Helena Susann Janet Newland, Shelby Jean Nicholl, Erica Lynn Ordean, Kyrsten Nykole Poe, Alexander Eugene Racine, Justin Matthew Ritzma, Cody Alan Roach, Nivinity Breanna Marie Robinson, Taylor Theresa Robinson, Faith Ann Roth, Ashley Marie Russell, Brandon McKinnon Sacks, Cassie Marie Schmiesing, Kayla Marie Schulten, Marissa, Ann-Gayle Shoe, Dominic William-Tyson Slaven, Jessica Renee Slusher, Devin Joseph Stevens, Damien Cole Stewart, Skyler Wade Sullivan, Rachel Katherine Taylor, Natalie Renee Wheeler, Scott Eric Wilkinson, Devin Eugene Wray and Jeffery William Wren Jr.