Graduations begin for distanced school seniors

Graduation season for high school seniors in east Orange County commences Friday night.

That's when socially distanced graduates of West Orange-Stark High School walk across a stage 6 feet apart and pick up their diplomas off a table.

No handshaking allowed.

Traditional graduations were pretty much nixed when the order for school closures was made in March as a preventive measure against the threat of Covid-19, which has killed more than 100,000 Americans this spring.

When President Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott decreed the country and state should reopen, Abbott allowed graduations but with restrictions.

The WO-S graduation takes place at 6 p.m. June 5 at Dan Hooks Stadium. All the students will be seated 6 feet apart and family tickets are limited.

Students will not be allowed to toss their caps at the end of the ceremony "due to social distancing," says instructions published on the school website.

Orangefield High School will hold its 2020 graduation the next day, at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Ford Park Pavilion in Beaumont.

Graduations have been set for Saturday, June 20 for both Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Bridge City High Schools at their football stadiums.

Bridge City's ceremony begins at 8 p.m., while LCM's begins at 8:20 p.m.