CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Chesapeake Public Schools will hold an in-person graduation for the senior class of 2021 at the S.B. Ballard Stadium at Old Dominion University.
Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton said the school is bringing back in-person graduation, after the pandemic forced school leaders to cancel last year’s in-person commencement.
“We’re very excited about the in-person graduation," Dr. Cotton said. "You know, last year we really didn’t have any options so we had to do, kind of a drive-by graduation.”
The graduation will happen at Old Dominion University’s Ballard Stadium, across three days with different time slots for graduates from Chesapeake’s high schools to show up and walk across the stage.
“This particular senior class has really had a whole year of this," Dr. Cotton said. "Last year they had a pretty a normal year until last March when everything fell apart. This particular group of seniors, they were impacted last year and their entire – half of their junior year and their entire senior year.”
A spokesperson for the school division said Tuesday that this outdoor option would allow entire classes to graduate together, and meant each student could have three guest tickets.
On Wednesday, June 16, the stadium will host graduations for Western Branch, Deep Creek and Oscar Smith high schools.
On Thursday, June 17, the field will be open to Hickory, Grassfield and Indian River high schools.
Great Bridge will graduate its students on Friday, June 18.
“The students have told me, many times when I talk to them, they want to be together," Dr Cotton said. “We’re going to graduate rain or shine.”
For people who aren't able to attend, the school system will be livestreaming graduation ceremonies online.
