2020 WHS Graduation
Dear students, parents and guardians, 

To the class of 2020, “The Class that Couldn’t be Stopped”

We apologize that we couldn’t get a detailed plan out to you earlier but the directions for graduation from Governor Dewine were very fast-changing and we are just now able to get a detailed plan in place. Seniors, a letter explaining the specifics of graduation is being sent out Monday. We have gone through many different possible plans and scenarios in order to determine the best possible way to honor our graduates while also keeping the social distancing requirements in place in order to keep everyone safe. We believe that we have found the best way to accomplish both goals and get as close to a typical graduation ceremony as possible.

* We will be hosting a 2020 graduation parade where graduates will arrive in their caps and gowns for a parade throughout the community prior to the graduation ceremony on Friday, May 15th. More specific information on the parade will follow shortly. This our way of honoring our seniors. This will be a very special time for everyone in the community to show up to wish them well and let them know how much we support, appreciate and love our graduates. 

* WHS is hosting a drive-in style graduation beginning at 6:30pm on Friday, May 15th. Graduate’s vehicles will enter and park according to the following order: Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Class President. Students will be parked alphabetically following Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Class President.

* The letter being sent out Monday will have 2 tickets in it. Each senior may have two vehicles attend. Graduates must not ride together but must ride in their own vehicles. Vehicle drivers will present the tickets when entering the parking lot in the back of the high school where the graduation will take place. Each vehicle must have a ticket when entering the parking lot. We would like to have more people attend but this is all that our parking lot will allow while still maintaining social distancing rules. Saying two vehicles allows for more people to possibly attend per graduate and family while not limiting to a certain number of persons. 

* Vehicles will line up when the time comes in the order that graduates will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. One at a time, seniors will get out of their car in front of the stage which will be outside in front of the back high school gym entrance. The graduate’s name will be announced as they walk across the stage and receive their diploma. The family may get out of the vehicle to take pictures during this time. Only individuals from the two vehicles designated by the graduate are permitted to get out to take pictures when the graduate walks across the stage. Professional pictures will be taken on the stage as the senior receives their diploma and another picture of the graduate will be taken after they step off the stage. Picture packets will be provided and collected before the graduate walks across the stage.

* After pictures are taken, the graduate will get back into their vehicle and drive back around to their orginal parking spot until all the graduates have received their diplomas. 

* We will have professional videos being taken both from ground view and from above weather permitting, which will be posted on our school social media pages. 

* As the graduation concludes, graduates will step out of their cars when given the direction, to switch their tassels to the other side of their cap to signify their new title of official 2020 graduate of Western High School.

* There will be a video of the graduation ceremony made available to all graduates.

Congratulations to each and every graduate! You are an amazing group of young ladies and gentlemen. We couldn’t be more proud of you for handling these tough situations with so much grace and dignity. You will always stand out among the classes as the “class that couldn’t be stopped”. You will go on to amazing things and do amazing things even though you had to endure tough disheartening situations your senior year, you will continue to rise above it. 

If anyone has questions after you receive your letters in the mail, please don’t hesitate to call. 

Ms. Gast- High school principal:
740-493-2514
cgast@westernlocalschools.com

Mr. Brewster- Superintendent:
740-493-3113
Bbrewster@westernlocalschools.com