Class of 2020 Graduation Update
June 24, 2020
The Big Day: July 8, 2020
Commencement is scheduled for July 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Kiwanis Field. The weather
back-up day will be July 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Kiwanis Field. The day will be here soon! The LPHS faculty and staff congratulate all graduates and their families and look forward to celebrating together. Congratulations, Class of 2020!
Ceremony Overview
This year’s service will be modified in many ways for safety while also honoring several features and characteristics of traditional graduation ceremonies at Kiwanis Stadium. We are very excited to see our graduates and their families on this special day at Kiwanis Stadium. As a reminder, the ceremony will be streamed live by the LaPorte Slicer Network.
The Program
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Kiwanis Field
Tickets Required for Admittance
Streaming: Don Varda, LaPorte Slicer Network (YouTube)
Presiding: Ben Tonagel, Principal
Security: LPCPD, SRO McCoy
Photography: Aspen Studios
Music: Tom Coe and Faculty brass quintet
Valedictorian: Kaylee Marvel
Salutatorian: Tyson Nisley
Speaker(s): Val & Sal
Graduate Instructions
Graduates will be spread out around the track in Kiwanis Stadium for proper social distancing. A chair will be placed on the track for each graduate. Graduates will be provided a special Slicer face covering on the day of the graduation service. All staff and graduates will need to wear the face covering during the service except for the picture.
During the service, graduates will follow the map around the track to walk across the graduation stage as their name is called in alphabetical order. Staff will be on the track to assist. Even if graduates are not in attendance at the ceremony, their name will be called so that it will be captured on the video. A professional photographer will be located near the stage to take the graduate’s picture.
- Graduates will enter the stadium at the marked graduate entrances (#5, #6). Students with the last names A-M will enter at #6. Last names N-Z will enter at #5. Please refer to the map.
- Graduates need to arrive at Kiwanis Stadium by 5:45 p.m.
- Chairs will be marked with each graduates name. Upon entering the stadium, students will be assisted to their chair on the track to sit. Please practice social distancing.
- Staff will take attendance, handout protective face masks, and check graduation dress.
- All graduates are expected to wear the traditional cap and gown (no decorations) with appropriate attire under the cap gown. Dress shirt, shirt/tie, slacks, dresses, skirts and blouses are classy and appropriate for a formal ceremony. No shorts or cut-offs are allowed. Please wear appropriate footwear. No high heeled shoes are permitted in order to promote safety and protect the turf.
- Seniors who do not comply with these standards and/or who dress in a way that could potentially disrupt the ceremony will be asked to change or not participate. Dress for success at graduation!
- Graduates may wear the following honor cords: Tri-Music, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Early College, Red/White/Blue Military.
- As a graduate's name is read over the PA, the student will walk to the stage to be greeted by the principal. As the graduate is approaching the stage an administrator will give each graduate their diploma cover which will be used in the picture. The graduate will pause on the stage for a photograph with the photographer.
- After walking off the stage, the school board will greet each graduate and give the graduate a packet that contains the official diploma. Please keep packets closed so documents are not dropped or damaged.
- Graduates will stay in alphabetical order and will proceed off the stage to the next available chair. Graduates will move ahead chair by chair as names are read. By the end, the graduates will finish at the chair where they started. Staff will be on the track to assist.
- After all graduate names have been called, the superintendent will address the graduates and confer the diploma.
- Graduates will then stand and staff will lead the graduates out of the stadium during the recessional. Music will play over the PA as the graduates exit the stadium. Graduates are asked to leave after the ceremony for proper social distancing.
- Families are encouraged to meet with their graduate after the ceremony at a location other than Kiwanis for pictures.
No Shoes w/ a Separated Heel
No Tennis Shoes
Formal Dress under the cap/gown is Expected!
Guest Information
Parents/guardians and graduates will receive up to four (4) tickets per graduate for this year’s ceremony. Family groups will be expected to sit together to allow for proper social distancing. While we realistically and regretfully have to limit the number of attendees at this year’s graduation in order to ensure pandemic safety measures, we are grateful that we are able to have an in-person ceremony for the graduates to walk the stage
- Guests will enter the stadium at the marked entrances (#3, #4). Guests will be permitted in the stadium at 5:30 p.m. Please refer to the map.
- Only ticketed guests may attend the ceremony.
- Guests will sit in the bleachers on the home and visitors' sides of the stadium.
- Guests with a graduate with the last names C-G and P-Sh are encouraged to sit in the visitors bleachers as this seating area might be closer to where these these graduates will be on the track. Please note that the stage is in the middle of the field so that both sides of the stadium have the same view of graduates as they walk the stage. Also, because some graduates may not be at graduation due to the change in the schedule, the exact placement of each graduate around the track is not finalized. As students pick up their tickets, we will have a better idea of who will be in attendance.
- Handicap seating is available in front of the home bleachers. A ramps can be used to access this area and is to be used for guests who need it.
- Guests need to sit in family groups and socially distance from other groups as best as possible.
- The stage will be located at center field so that guests on both sides of the stadium will have the same view of the graduates as they walk the stage.
- Visitors seating in the bleachers allows for the best possible view of the stage. The grassy areas near the end zones will be closed off.
- When graduates' names are called, staff will direct the graduate towards the stage.
- After the service, guests will remain in the stadium until the graduates have completed the recessional out of the stadium.
- After the graduates have completed the recessional, staff will assist guests as they exit the stadium. Graduates should not hang around the stadium. It is necessary for everyone to exit the stadium to comply with social distancing practices.
- Parents/guardians are encouraged to arrange a meeting place with their graduate that is outside the stadium since it is necessary to clear the stadium. Greetings and pictures can happen at nearby parks, public spaces, etc. and social distancing is encouraged. Guests and graduates will not be permitted to hang around the stadium.
Can't Make it to Commencement?
Herff Jones Cap/Gown Orders
Herff Jones will be at LaPorte High School (“I” Street Parking Lot) on Thursday, June 25 1:00-3:00 for another cap/gown pick-up. Anyone who has not ordered their cap/gown needs to immediately place their order with Herff Jones. Caps/gowns are required to participate in the service. Call the Herff Jones office number at 574-583-3420 or go online to www.kingsley-inc.com to click on the graduation accessory button. If you have a financial hardship, please contact Mr. Tonagel, (btonagel@lpcsc.k12.in.us) and we will try to help.
Parking
Commencement Photography
This year’s Commencement ceremony might be different from previous years, but we are dedicated to providing you with the best photography service available to commemorate this momentous occasion. Aspen Studios will be photographing each student as they receive their diploma.
Due to the ongoing restrictions from Covid-19, all orders must be shipped. There are multiple ways to place your order:
- Order online www.angieinspired.com/clients (click on the LPHS Grad link)
- Place your order over the phone with a credit card payment.
- Payment in full (including shipping) is required before your order is placed. Please place your order by July 9th to ensure prompt delivery. Orders placed after July 9th may incur delays in processing.
- As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach us via email or phone.
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
Angie Januchowski
Owner/Photographer/Artist
Aspen Studios
5304 N Calumet Ave
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219/465-5040
www.aspenstudios.net
info@aspenstudios.net