Lineberry: Why we are having virtual graduation June 5 at Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds

It is important that social distancing is maintained during this showing in order to maintain safety for everyone involved. Attendees must remain in their own vehicles the entire time. Protection, especially of the most vulnerable citizens among us, is crucial for everyone of us and is paramount to this event’s success.”

Dr. Chris Lineberry, principal at Apache Junction High School

Greetings senior Prospectors:

We have a lot of information to share with you, so please read carefully:

'Innovative plan'

Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic status in Arizona we have been put in the position of making some very difficult decisions. After listening to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Dr. Cara Christ and consulting with public health officials, it does not seem plausible that we will be able to have an in-person graduation this summer.

I know that this is extremely disappointing to our seniors and families; believe me, we are disappointed as well.

I am aware and understand that given the situation, whatever we have decided to do, that there will be some people who are unhappy and some that agree.

If as the principal I am going to be wrong on something, I want my mistake to have been overly cautious vs. cavalier by taking unnecessary risk that could result in people getting sick or worse.

That being said, I think we have an innovative plan that will allow us to celebrate each one of our seniors, maintain social distancing and ensure that every student is properly recognized.

As I promised from the start, I will be transparent, truthful, timely, and clear in all my communication and interaction. We have made this decision with public health at the forefront of our process. Safety is the No. 1 priority.

Procession for seniors

On May 15 the seniors will be celebrated by a procession around the football stadium, 8-8:20 p.m. Friday, May 15.

Enter the Apache Junction High School North parking lot to begin your drive around Davis Field.  You will only be allowed to make right turns. Please stay in your car and continue the flow of traffic.

Decorate your car and celebrate with your family.  Please do not carpool with other families as we are still social distancing.

Meet in the north parking lot to get lined up and at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 15, the procession will begin.

Congratulations Class of 2020.

Video shoot

May 20-21 is the graduation video shoot. All fines and fees must be paid by this date in order for students to “walk” in the graduation ceremony.

Students will receive an email with a time scheduled to pick up their diplomas at school. All students should come in cap and gown, just as if attending graduation.

Each student will receive a medallion commemorating graduation, their honor cords, etc., when they arrive. Social distancing must be maintained.

We will shoot video of the speeches on May 20 and all students receiving diplomas on May 21.

Once we have completed the video shoot, Mr. Young will compile all of the clips from the speeches, to recordings of the band, to each student walking across the stage.

Mr. Young will create a film of a virtual graduation ceremony.

Only students should come to this; family will not be permitted in the PAC in order to maintain social distancing recommendations.

Virtual graduation

On June 5 we will hold our virtual graduation ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds, 1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd.

The film will start at approximately 8:30 p.m.

We have acquired a 52-foot-by-26-foot screen and an FM radio station broadcasting device. The ceremony/film will be shown and simulcast on FM radio and Facebook Live.

We will get details out as soon as we can so that folks know exactly what to expect.

We have parking for 370 cars in our main lot and 337 cars in overflow. I would like to thank the Apache Junction Parks and Rec and the City of AJ for their assistance in making this possible.

We will make copies of the film available during the summer to all senior students.

It is important that social distancing is maintained during this showing in order to maintain safety for everyone involved.

Attendees must remain in their own vehicles the entire time. Protection, especially of the most vulnerable citizens among us, is crucial for everyone of us and is paramount to this event’s success.

We will send additional detail/more information as we get closer.

Scholarship information

We will be sending out a list of all of our students who have earned scholarships this year next week. We have a lot. I am incredibly proud of the work that our students have done this year, look for this to come out in email this week.

Yearbooks

We will be receiving yearbooks next week sometime. Once we have received them we will then set up a time for students to pick them up.

Prom

 We will make this announcement in June once we have further data.

As I have stated repeatedly since the pandemic turned our world on its head, we are doing everything within our power to provide as much a sense of normalcy as is absolutely possible during this challenging time.

I know that this is not ideal, we all want to watch our students walk across the stage on Davis Field and receive their diplomas.

This is the best plan that we can put together given the circumstances. On Homecoming weekend in the Fall we will have an event specifically to honor our 2020 graduates and look forward to planning and attending a celebration in person of their fantastic accomplishments.

To the seniors, I am sorry for the course of events that have led us to this place. As the chairman of the Fed said a few weeks ago, “None of us has the luxury of choosing our challenges; fate and history provide them for us. Our job is to meet the tests we are presented.”

It is my sincere hope that you all enjoy the events that we have planned for you, and that as you reflect on the challenges that we have all been presented during this pandemic, it becomes clear that every decision that was made by AJHS was made with the health and well-being of our students, community and our staff at heart.

Graduation is an end of a small chapter in the book of life, a new chapter begins for each of our seniors on May 21.

This is the beginning, not the end. We will get through this. We are Prospectors. We are strong. We are kind. We have grit and determination.

Editor's note: The above is excerpted from a letter Dr. Chris Lineberry, principal at Apache Junction High School sent to AJHS seniors regarding graduation, etc.