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Highlands Class of 2020 graduates in-person while following pandemic protocols | TribLIVE.com
Valley News Dispatch

Highlands Class of 2020 graduates in-person while following pandemic protocols

Nate Smallwood
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Luke Cochran takes a photo with his mother, a kindergarten teacher, Melodi Cochran, during the Highlands High School Class of 2020 commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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Matthew Cedaka of Highlands High School’s Class of 2020 listens to speakers during their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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The Highlands High School Class of 2020 practices social distancing while listening to commencement speakers during their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. So did the audience.
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Bernie Hemingway, of the Highlands High School Class of 2020, listens to speakers during their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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Graduates of the Highlands High School Class of 2020 listen to speakers during their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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Graduates of Highlands High School stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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Class Valedictorian William Gustafson speaks during the Highlands High School Class of 2020’s commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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Soon-to-be graduates of Highlands High School line up for the start of their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The markers on the floor were reminders to the students to maintain social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic.

The Highlands High School Class of 2020 practiced social distancing during their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 in the high school gymnasium.

So did the audience, which was limited to parents and guardians.

They were allowed into the gym in small groups while their child was receiving their diploma. They then left to make way for another group.

The graduates wore face masks with the school’s Golden Rams logo, which they were allowed to removed while receiving their diploma.

The ceremony was livestreamed on the the school district’s website and to the high school auditorium where more people were allowed to watch remotely.

Officials decided to hold commencement indoors because of concerns that it may rain. It would have been difficult to switch to indoors on short notice had the weather been poor.

Nate Smallwood is a Tribune-Review photographer. You can contact Nate via Twitter .

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Categories: Local | Valley News Dispatch
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