Celebrating the 2020 graduates of Coshocton County
Ridgewood High School seniors had their signs displayed at the school (Tara Gracyk)
With the 2019-20 school year coming to a close and graduation around the corner, Coshocton County school administrators and staff have been working hard and putting a lot of thought and time into thinking of ways to make this senior year as special as they can while abiding by Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Education recommendations and safe guards. Here is what the schools in the community are doing for the 2020 graduates.
Ridgewood High School
Ridgewood High School had yard signs made for their seniors. Signs with pictures of the seniors were up in front of the school last week and were taken home by the seniors after their senior parade on May 8. Similarly, on the high school’s Facebook page, the school has been honoring five graduates a day by doing a senior spotlight where a picture of the student is posted along with what activities they participated in while in school, what their future plans are, etc.
In addition, on Friday nights from 8:20 – 8:40 p.m. the lights at the football field have been lit up and a special video recognizing seniors and essential workers has been playing for the community members and families to enjoy from the comfort of their vehicles. The video includes excerpts from the student’s memories of their time at Ridgewood. The last showing will take place on Friday, May 15, and anyone in the county is welcome to attend. Also, vinyl pictures of the senior spring athletes are hanging up in West Lafayette on poles on Main Street.
On Saturday May 16, Ridgewood High School graduates and their families have been invited to the school for a special photo opportunity where seniors can be in cap and gown, holding their diploma and get their picture taken. A schedule of times and what time each student has the opportunity to get their picture taken is on the website. These photos will be at no cost to the graduate, and there is an option for the graduate to include up to five family members in their photo.
Ridgewood will be conducting an online graduation this year. The digital graduation ceremony will premiere live on YouTube at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17. The link for the virtual ceremony will be available on the school district’s website, www.ridgewood.k12.oh.us, and on the Ridgewood High School Facebook page and can be heard on WTNS.
The junior/senior prom has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, and the high school musical, Mama Mia has been rescheduled for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 14-16. Parents and community members are encouraged to check the Ridgewood website, www.ridgewood.k12.oh.us, for updates and information.
River View High School
River View High School seniors were honored with yard signs (Tara Grayck)
Similar to Ridgewood, River View placed yard signs with their graduates’ senior pictures in the high school lawn and throughout the main street in town. Signs will be rotated between locations. In addition, businesses in Warsaw have banners hanging from store front windows showcasing their spring athletes. And, many of the senior’s homes have 2020 graduate signs displayed in their yards.
River View has also set up a Google Classroom just for their seniors where the students get to share about what they miss about school, what their favorite school lunch is, etc. Chuck Rinkes, principal of the high school, shared that many of the seniors have taken part in the Adopt a Senior project going on throughout the county, and that plans have been made to do a Zoom call with all 151 graduating students.
On Friday, May 15, River View will be conducting a teacher parade as their teachers gather together in six different groups and conduct a car parade for the graduates. The teachers will be driving by each senior’s home and honking their horns in support of the graduates in the area they drive by. They have six groups of teachers assigned so that every graduate has a parade that day.
Then, the graduates will have the opportunity to get their photo taken in their cap and gown, receiving their diploma in front of the bronze bear on Saturday, May 16. Another area with a backdrop will be set up for the graduate to get a picture with their family members. Families are expected to remain in their vehicles until they are motioned to come out for a photo with their graduate. During this photo session, graduates will receive any awards or scholarships they have earned throughout the year.
River View is also working on their academic awards. Instead of the traditional ceremony, they will be creating a slide show and/or posting pictures of the winners on the school website and social media sites. They are hoping to have that completed by Wednesday, May 13.
Hasseman Marketing is in the process of videotaping individuals and graduation inspired events for the virtual graduation ceremony. The graduation video will be available for graduates, staff, families and community members to view on Sunday, May 24 via the district website, www.river-view.k12.oh.us, and social media venues.
As for other end of the year events, the spring musical has been cancelled, and the junior/senior Prom has been indefinitely postponed until social distancing is lifted or gatherings of 300 or more is permitted. Rinkes shared that if the prom does not get to occur before the summer ends, graduating seniors might get invited to the 2021 prom.
For further updates and information, parents and community members are encouraged to go to the district’s website, www.ridgewood.k12.oh.us.
Coshocton High School
Coshocton High School will hold its virtual scholarship awards assembly live on Facebook at 2 p.m. Friday, May 15.
Their graduating seniors will be honored with a drive-by tour Tuesday afternoon May 19, with graduates receiving yard signs. A senior parade will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22. Line up is at 6:30 p.m. at the high school. The parade route will be: Cambridge Road to Walnut Street to Seventh Street to Main Street to Stewart Field. Parents, family, friends, and community members are invited to recognize the senior class as they pass by.
Commencement will take place curbside near the high school’s general admittance entrance on Sunday, May 24. Rain date is Sunday, May 31.
Category: Education
