After a few draft plans, the Mancos graduation ceremony is officially set for May 29.
The “Drive-in Theater” style graduation will happen in the parking lot in front of the newly remodeled Performance Center, followed by a procession through town.
“We have been working under the guidelines from the Colorado governor’s executive orders, directions and guidelines from the Montezuma Health Department, and the Colorado Department of Education,” secondary Principal John Marchino said in a statement to community members. “We are thankful that we are able to provide a graduation ceremony where our students will be able to receive a diploma, walk across a stage, get pictures taken and then have a procession through town.”
Staff and board members from the Mancos School District Re-6 had debated a few options for commencement, including postponing it until the district would be permitted to hold a traditional ceremony, or figuring out a way to hold it on the high school football field.
But after the Montezuma County Public Health Department directed the district that it could not throw an “in-person” graduation with over 10 people, they switched course.
The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Everyone participating will be asked to remain in their cars, and only the 33 graduates and their families will be allowed in the parking lot and on Beech Street.
“We do not have parking for extra vehicles, so please respect the graduates and their families during their celebration,” Marchino said.
Each senior will be able to have two parents exit the car when it is his or her turn to receive a diploma. Speakers will be asked to remain in their vehicles until they are called up to speak.
Spectators are not allowed to leave their vehicles while on school grounds.
After the ceremony, graduates will take part in a procession down Riverside Avenue and then return to town via Grand Avenue, until the line of cars crosses Main Street. The Town Marshal’s Office will support the event with traffic control.
The event will be broadcast live through Facebook.
