NEDERLAND, Texas — Tonight, hundreds of Southeast Texas seniors will receive their diplomas during ceremonies filled with loved ones. But we know it'll look and feel differently.
Nederland High School is kicking off Southeast Texas graduations pandemic style.
Friday afternoon, staff at Nederland High School was making their final touches for tonight's ceremony at Ford Park.
There’s a lot of planning that goes into graduation ceremonies, but when a pandemic cancels the speeches, family and friends, school districts had to get creative.
"It's not what I imagined, but we're making the best of it and that’s the best we can do," said senior class president Will Denson.
"The Ford Park personnel has ensured that we kept the 6 foot distance between all of our graduates and the family members that are going to be attending," said Dr. Beagle.
Nederland High School Principal Steven Beagle said they have taped off chairs to practice social distancing, and each student is allowed only a certain number of tickets.
"Obviously we would like to open it up to more, but we have to follow the guidelines," Dr. Beagle said.
Small measures they are willing to take to be able to give their seniors a ceremony in person rather than online.
"They have gone through a lot and experienced a lot, but we feel like they are very resilient, and they are going to be better because of it,” Dr. Beagle.
Denson said it's been a year he will never forget.
"It's been something. It's been crazy. But I've kind of enjoyed it. The community has really come out to support. Our class has come together," Denson said.
He's thankful the district has done everything it could to give his class a special night.
"You've been here so long. You've been dreaming of this day. So for them to go out of their way to do this for us is incredible," Denson said.
Principal Beagle said as graduation wraps, staff still has a lot of planning to do for the next school year.
"We may be closing one chapter, but we'll be going to another one very, very soon," Dr.Beagle.
