Deer Lakes cancels in-person commencement amid latest coronavirus-related restrictions

Deer Lakes School District has canceled its Class of 2020 in-person commencement.

The event was scheduled for July 16, but had to be canceled due to coronavirus-related restrictions recently imposed by the Allegheny County Health Department, which limited gatherings of more than 50 people for two weeks to help mitigate a spike in covid-19 cases.

There are no plans to reschedule the event.

“We are very disappointed to be forced to cancel the in-person commencement ceremony,” high school principals Pat Baughman and Ryan Aleski said in a Thursday news release. “Still, we take comfort in the knowledge that we were able to hold a virtual ceremony and find other unique ways to celebrate and honor the Class of 2020.”

In May, West Deer police and fire trucks led cars filled with graduating seniors in a parade through the residential streets surrounding the high school. A virtual commencement ceremony for the 116 graduates was held in June.

Students who want to have their photo taken at the school will have an opportunity to do so from 5 to 8 p.m. July 16 in the high school auditorium. Guests will be required to comply with coronavirus safety mandates, which includes wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing protocols. Guests also will be asked to wait outside until a representative from the school escorts them into the auditorium.

Questions or feedback can be sent to seniorwalk@deerlakes.net, or directed to Baughman at 724-265-5320 Ext. 2621, or Aleski at 724-265-5320 Ext. 2622.