Roanoke Rapids High School and Roanoke Rapids Early College will have commencement exercises and allow families to attend in person.
“This is the 100th graduating class of Roanoke Rapids High School and the first for our early college,” said Superintendent Dain Butler. “Our administrators and central services staff have looked at the state guidance and feel confident that we can meet the requirements and allow graduates to have their families in our historic auditorium to witness these celebrations.”
The district is providing each graduate with a commemorative mask to wear with their respective school’s logo. All guests will also be required to wear a mask.
Roanoke Rapids Early College Commencement is scheduled for May 21 at 8 p.m. in the Roanoke Rapids High School Auditorium. The 22 graduates will sit socially distanced with their families spread throughout the room. Due to the small number of graduates, each senior will receive 15 tickets for family members to attend.
Roanoke Rapids High School Commencement will be held May 28 at 8 p.m.
With more than 200 expected to graduate, tickets will be limited to three per student.
Families are encouraged to sit together in the auditorium and physically distance from others. Graduates will march into the auditorium following RRHS tradition and will occupy the center section of the room sitting physically distanced from one another.
“This is such a big year for us,” said RRHS principal Jeff White. “We have no doubt our families will follow the state mandates and do what is required, so we can celebrate our students. After all, this is all about them.”
Both ceremonies will follow tradition with a few modifications including student speeches and the diploma presentation by the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees. The district plans to livestream both ceremonies on its YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
“We have been looking forward to this night since the Roanoke Rapids Early College High School opened in 2018. Many of our graduates are also receiving their Associates Degrees from Halifax Community College,” said early college principal Tammie Williams. “We are so proud of their accomplishments and are planning a special night for our first graduating class,” said Tammie Williams, Principal.
The annual baccalaureate service is being planned for May 23 at 5 p.m. in the RRHS Auditorium. This service is optional for all graduates of both high schools.
“We’re hoping our COVID-19 numbers will remain low and we will be able to move forward with our plans. Our students have been so resilient. We’re going to do everything we can for them,” Butler added.
