Manhattan High cancels rescheduled graduation ceremony

There will be no graduation ceremony for the Manhattan High Class of 2020.

Principal Michael Dorst, in a message to graduates and parents on the school’s Facebook page Wednesday said the in-person ceremony, which had been delayed to Sunday, Aug. 2 has been canceled.

The ceremony had been planned outdoors at Bishop Stadium, but due to limits on gathering sizes still at 50, and not likely to rise much by that time, the decision was ultimately made to forego the ceremony. The ceremony typically draws between 1,500 and 2,000 people.

Dorst says they’ve developed two alternative options for the Class of 2020 graduates to be honored. The first will be between noon and 4 p.m. Aug. 2. Students are invited to come to the west campus parking lot with family members and receive their diploma, cap and gown and have a photo opportunity with district administrators and school board members.

Graduates are also invited to participate in the 2021 commencement ceremony, tentatively scheduled for May 9 at Bramlage Coliseum. Commencement speakers Will Bannister and Allen Zhang will record their commencement speeches and those will be posted to social media at a later date.

Dorst ended his letter saying: “To the class of 2020, I’m sorry that so much has been taken from you. You have handled the past four months with patience, understanding, and poise. You are and will always be an absolute example for all Manhattan High School students.”