VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach's 5,000 seniors can still have hope for a graduation ceremony: the school district's superintendent says plans are being put in place to hold one later this summer.
Because Virginia's stay-at-home order is currently in place until June 10, the originally scheduled ceremonies at the Convention Center have been canceled.
But in a letter to parents and students sent out Thursday, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence said there may still be a face-to-face graduation ceremony for later in the summer.
"At this time, we are working on a plan that includes a face-to-face ceremony for later this summer, with limited seating and livestreaming, when we can safely and legally do so," Spence said. "Plan B may be a virtual ceremony."
Spence went on to say, "The bottom line is this. Our seniors have worked so hard and deserve to be celebrated. We will make it happen. As soon as those details are final, we will communicate them. We appreciate your patience and understanding with this."
Virginia Beach seniors hope they will get to walk across the stage.
“I am just glad they said something," said Cox High School senior Weston Green. "I’m still hopeful that we do have a graduation ceremony. I mean, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I don’t want to have a virtual graduation. It is just not the same.”
"It's something you just want everyone to see, your parents, your friends," said Bayside High School senior Mayson Littles. "The fact that it is a possibility that it might be virtual, it is just really disappointing.”
We also heard from the Norfolk School District’s media team. They said officials are exploring graduation options with the Department of Education and high school principals. But no decisions have been made yet.