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Graduation Ceremony Information
We are excited to announce details about our special virtual Graduation Ceremony, Saturday, June 13. The event will include both pre-recorded segments as well as live coverage of each of our nearly 425 graduates as they enjoy a personalized graduation moment with their families. Pre-recorded speeches from the School Board President, three students, Principal Nate Salisbury, and our Superintendent will air prior to the presentation of diplomas. The broadcast will be made available next week, but we expect it will be around 1:30 p.m. The entire event will be recorded and be accessible to all families after the completion of graduation.
Arrival Information:
We have rolling arrival time schedules for seniors and those with them in the same vehicle. Seniors should arrive within their assigned time window and no earlier. This will help us manage traffic and check-in and reduce wait times in vehicles. Families will enter at the far west gate of Wildcat Memorial Stadium (please see our map).
Graduation Arrival Times
1:40 p.m. A-Bo
2:05 p.m. Br-Co
2:30 p.m. Cr-Fa
2:55 p.m. Fi-Hi
3:20 p.m. Ho-Lo
3:45 p.m. Ma-Pac
4:10 p.m. Pad-Rob
4:35 p.m. Rog-Sta
5:00 p.m. Ste-We
5:25 p.m. Wh-Z-
There are no restrooms available. Keep in mind that you may be in your car for up to 60 minutes. Please make sure you have plenty of fuel.
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Vehicles will enter campus at the clearly marked entrance near the stadium.
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Please drive slowly and watch out for our volunteers
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Follow the marked path to the check-in tents located in front of the tennis courts by the senior parking lot.
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At the tents, seniors will pick up any honors cords and two printed programs. Also, a number identifying the student in the vehicle will be placed under the wiper blade on the passenger side window. This will help announcers identify the student in the vehicle as they arrive in the graduation area.
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The vehicles will follow the same path as Friday Night Lights and the Senior Breakfast to the bus loop area behind the school.
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Two large white tents will be set up in the bus loop. You will reach a marked stopping point and wait there until directed to drive to the left side of one tent or the other.
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We no longer have any vehicle height restrictions since we are having vehicles drive next to the tents instead of under them.
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Drivers should stop once the vehicle passenger door reaches the purple carpet leading to the stage inside the tent.
Map of Graduation
Presentation of Diplomas
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As with any graduation, seniors must wear their cap and gown. Please contact Linda Otruba (lotruba@ohsd.net or (360) 279-5704) if you have any issue getting a cap and gown.
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Seniors should sit in the passenger seat during their arrival for graduation. This is the side of the vehicle they will exit to walk on the purple carpet to the stage. Drivers should align their passenger door with the purple carpet.
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Only the senior may exit the vehicle to receive their diploma.
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Music will be playing over the sound system. Once the senior’s name is read by the announcer, the senior will walk onto the decorated stage and pick up their diploma from a small table placed there by one of our school board members.
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The graduate will turn around for photos and turn their tassel.
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Family members in the vehicle are encouraged to clap and cheer (please do not honk your horn, it may disrupt the ceremony in the adjacent tent).
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The senior will return to their vehicle, a graduate of Oak Harbor High School.
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We will have official photographers available to issue FREE photos of each senior. There will be an opportunity for families to take photos and videos from their vehicles.
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In addition, the event will be video recorded and live-streamed with a play-by-play announcer (heard on the video only, not over the event sound system). The video will remain online for later viewing.
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Video links will be emailed to families on Friday, June 12.
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There will also be a graduation highlight video available and emailed to our seniors and their families.
Department of Health Rules for Drive-Thru Graduations
Due to the Governor’s executive orders, we must maintain social distancing and follow the guidelines established by the Governor’s Office, Department of Health, and the CDC. The following expectations are set by the Washington State Department of Health for drive-thru graduation events:
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One senior per vehicle. We understand there may be extenuating circumstances for some families. Please contact Linda Otruba (lotruba@ohsd.net or (360) 279-5704) if more than one senior is needed for a vehicle or if your senior or family does not have a vehicle they can use for the event.
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No more than 10 people may be in a single-vehicle. The Department of Health recommends that only individuals who are already staying together ride in the same vehicle.
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Family and friends must remain in the vehicle at all times.
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All staff members at the event will wear masks. Diplomas will be handled with gloves.
Senior Farewell Tour
We are thrilled to announce our 2020 Senior Farewell Tour featuring five weeks of extra-special events to honor the Class of 2020! We are so proud of our seniors and are committed to celebrating and recognizing their accomplishments in creative and memorable ways. These five weeks will feature drive-through celebrations, live stream award ceremonies, a new format for the senior breakfast and paper toss, special prizes and gifts, surprise visits, and a unique graduation event. Each week, you’ll receive an email like this with the details for the coming week’s activities and how you can be involved. It’s going to be great, so stay tuned!
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